After paragraph 27 of Schedule 7 to the National Health Service Act 2006 insert—

“Annual meeting of members

27A

(1)

A public benefit corporation must hold an annual meeting of its members.

(2)

The meeting must be open to members of the public.

(3)

At least one member of the board of directors of the corporation must attend the meeting and present the following documents to the members at the meeting—

(a)

the annual accounts,

(b)

any report of the auditor on them,

(c)

the annual report.

(4)

Where an amendment is made to the constitution in relation to the powers or duties of the council of governors of a public benefit corporation (or otherwise with respect to the role that the council has as part of the corporation)—

(a)

at least one member of the council of governors must attend the next meeting to be held under this paragraph and present the amendment, and

(b)

the corporation must give the members an opportunity to vote on whether they approve the amendment.

(5)

If more than half of the members voting approve the amendment, the amendment continues to have effect; otherwise, it ceases to have effect and the corporation must take such steps as are necessary as a result.”

In paragraph 28 of that Schedule (meeting of council of governors to consider annual accounts and reports), the existing text of which becomes sub-paragraph (1), after that sub-paragraph insert—

“(2)

Nothing in sub-paragraph (1) prevents the council of governors from holding a general meeting more than once a year.”

After that paragraph insert—

“28ACombined meetings of members and governors

A public benefit corporation may hold a meeting which combines a meeting under paragraph 27A with a meeting under paragraph 28.”