The Advisory Panel to the Welsh Language Commissioner (Appointment) Regulations 2012

Title, commencement and application

1.—(1) The title of these Regulations is the Advisory Panel to the Welsh Language Commissioner (Appointment) Regulations 2012.

(2) These Regulations come into force on 6 February 2012 and apply in relation to Wales.

Principles to be followed

2.  In appointing members of the Advisory Panel the Welsh Ministers must follow the principles of ministerial responsibility, merit, independent scrutiny, equal opportunities, probity, openness and transparency and proportionality taking into account the description of those principles in the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies of August 2009.

Knowledge of, and proficiency in, Welsh

3.  In appointing persons to be members of the Advisory Panel the Welsh Ministers must have regard to the fact that it is desirable that the Advisory Panel’s membership includes persons with knowledge of, and proficiency in, the Welsh language.

Knowledge and experience

4.—(1) Before appointing persons as members of the Advisory Panel the Welsh Ministers must, as far as is reasonably practicable, ascertain the Commissioner’s knowledge and experience of the following matters—

(a) corporate governance;

(b) exercising functions conferred by or under an enactment;

(c) promoting and facilitating the use of Welsh or another language;

(d) public relations;

(e) regulatory regimes; and

(f) working in partnership with organisations in the public, private or voluntary sectors.

(2) In appointing persons as members of the Advisory Panel, the Welsh Ministers must have regard to the fact that it is desirable that the knowledge and experience of the Commissioner and the Advisory Panel’s members (taken together) includes knowledge and experience of the matters referred to in paragraph (1).

Leighton Andrews

Minister for Education and Skills, one of the Welsh Ministers

11 January 2012