Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025

PART 2 MEMBERSHIP

Members

2 (1) The members of the Learning Welsh Institute are—

(a) a person appointed by the Welsh Ministers as its chair;

(b) at least 6 and no more than 10 other persons appointed by the Welsh Ministers;

(c) its chief executive (see paragraph 6);

(d) at least 1 but no more than 2 other members of the Learning Welsh Institute’s staff appointed by the chief executive and the non-executive members.

(2) In this Schedule—

(a) the chair and the members of the Learning Welsh Institute appointed under sub-paragraph (1)(b) are referred to collectively as “non-executive members”;

(b) the chief executive and members of the Learning Welsh Institute appointed under sub-paragraph (1)(d) are referred to collectively as “executive members”.

(3) The Welsh Ministers may appoint one of the members appointed under sub-paragraph (1)(b) as deputy chair.

(4) The Welsh Ministers may amend sub-paragraph (1), by regulations, to substitute a different number for any of the numbers specified; but the number of non-executive members must always exceed the number of executive members.

(5) In appointing a non-executive member, the Welsh Ministers must have regard to the desirability of appointing persons who—

(a) possess experience of a matter, and have demonstrated ability in a matter, relevant to the exercise of the Learning Welsh Institute’s functions, and

(b) have a range of skills and experience.

Disqualification from non-executive membership

3 A person is disqualified from being a non-executive member if the person is—

(a) a member of the Learning Welsh Institute’s staff,

(b) a Member of the Senedd,

(c) a member of the House of Commons or the House of Lords,

(d) a member of a local authority,

(e) a person employed in the civil service of the State, or

(f) the holder of an office, or a member of a body or a member of staff of a body, specified by the Welsh Ministers by regulations.

Non-executive membership terms

4 (1) A non-executive member holds office for such period, and on such terms and conditions, as may be specified in the terms of appointment, but this is subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (4) and paragraph 5.

(2) The period of office specified in the terms of appointment of a non-executive member may not exceed 5 years.

(3) A person who has held office as a non-executive member may be reappointed as a non-executive member once only (and sub-paragraph (2) applies in relation to the reappointment).

(4) The Learning Welsh Institute may, with the approval of the Welsh Ministers—

(a) pay‍ remuneration, expenses and allowances to its non-executive members;

(b) pay pensions to, or in respect of, persons who have been non-executive members and amounts for or towards provision of pensions to, or in respect of, persons who have been non-executive members.

Removal etc. of members

5 (1) The Welsh Ministers may remove a non-executive member from office if they are satisfied that—

(a) the person is unfit to remain a member, or

(b) the person is unable or unwilling to exercise the functions of a member.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may suspend a non-executive member from office by notice if it appears to them that there may be grounds for exercising the power in sub-paragraph (1).

(3) A suspension by notice under sub-paragraph (2) has effect—

(a) for a period specified in the notice, or

(b) if no period is specified in the notice, until further notice is given by the Welsh Ministers to the suspended person.

(4) A non-executive member may resign by giving notice to the Welsh Ministers.

(5) A person ceases to be a non-executive member if that person becomes disqualified (see paragraph 3).

(6) A person ceases to be chair or deputy chair (as the case may be) if that person ceases to be a non-executive member.

(7) A person ceases to be an executive member upon ceasing to be a member of staff.

(8) A person suspended from office under this paragraph may not participate in the proceedings of the Learning Welsh Institute, or the proceedings of its committees or sub-committees, during the period in which the suspension has effect.