The Citizen Voice Body is not to be regarded as the servant or agent of the Crown or as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.

The Body's property is not to be regarded as property of, or property held on behalf of, the Crown.

In this Schedule, the members appointed by the Welsh Ministers are collectively referred to as “non-executive members”; and any reference in this Schedule to the exercise by the non-executive members of a function is a reference to the non-executive members exercising the function as a committee of the Body.

A non-executive member of the Citizen Voice Body 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) and (4) and paragraph 5.

The period of office specified in a non-executive member's terms of appointment may not exceed 4 years.

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 appointment).

A non-executive member may resign from office by giving written notice to the Welsh Ministers.

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

A person ceases to be a non-executive member of the Body if the person becomes a member of the Body's staff.

The non-executive members must invite each of the trade unions recognised by the Body to nominate an eligible candidate for appointment as the Body's associate member.

The invitation must specify the period within which a nomination is to be made.

The non-executive members must appoint a person, from among the eligible candidates nominated during the period specified under sub-paragraph (3), as the Body's associate member.

In this Part—

• “recognised”, in relation to a trade union, has the meaning given by the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (c. 52);

• “trade union” has the meaning given by that Act.

An associate member of the Citizen Voice Body is not eligible to vote in any proceedings of the Body.

An associate member of the Body holds office for such period, and on such terms and conditions, as may be specified by the non-executive members in the terms of appointment, but this is subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (5) and paragraph 8.

The period of office specified in an associate member's terms of appointment may not exceed 4 years.

A person who has held office as an associate member may be reappointed under paragraph 6 as an associate member (and sub-paragraph (3) applies in relation to the appointment).

An associate member of the Body may resign from office by giving written notice to the non-executive members.

The Citizen Voice Body may pay an associate member expenses.

The non-executive members may by written notice to the associate member of the Body suspend that person from office as the associate member, if it appears to them that there may be grounds to exercise the power in sub-paragraph (1).

An associate member ceases to hold office if the member ceases to be an eligible candidate for appointment as an associate member (see paragraph 6(5)).

The non-executive members of the Citizen Voice Body must appoint a person as the Body's chief executive.

The chief executive is appointed on such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions as to remuneration, allowances and pension) as may be specified by the non-executive members in the terms of the appointment.

An appointment under this paragraph may not be made without the approval of the Welsh Ministers.

The Citizen Voice Body may appoint other members of staff, in addition to a chief executive.

A member of staff appointed under this paragraph is appointed on such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions as to remuneration, allowances and pension) as the Body may specify in the terms of the appointment.

The Body may not agree terms and conditions as to remuneration, allowances or pension without the approval of the Welsh Ministers.

The Citizen Voice Body may establish committees and sub-committees.

A committee or sub-committee may include, or be comprised entirely of, persons who are not members of the Body.

An arrangement under sub-paragraph (1) does not affect the Body's responsibility for exercise of a delegated function, nor affect its ability to exercise a delegated function.

The Citizen Voice Body may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or which is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of its functions.

But sub-paragraph (1) does not permit the Body to borrow money.

The Citizen Voice Body must make rules to regulate its own procedure (including quorum).

The Body must make rules to regulate the procedure of its committees and sub-committees (including quorum).

The Citizen Voice Body may have a seal.

The Citizen Voice Body's chief executive is its accounting officer.

The accounting officer has, in relation to the Body's accounts and finances, the responsibilities specified from time to time by the Welsh Ministers.

This paragraph applies in relation to each statement of accounts submitted to the Auditor General for Wales by the Citizen Voice Body under paragraph 20(3)(b).

The Auditor General for Wales must examine, certify and report on the statement of accounts.

Where the Auditor General for Wales has laid a statement under sub-paragraph (3)(b) in relation to a statement of accounts, the Auditor General must lay a copy of the certified statement and report before the National Assembly for Wales as soon as reasonably practicable after the expiry of the 4-month period.

In complying with sub-paragraph (2) the Auditor General for Wales must, in particular, examine and report on whether, in the opinion of the Auditor General, the expenditure to which the accounts relate has been incurred lawfully and in accordance with the authority which governs it.

Before the start of each financial year the Citizen Voice Body must publish a plan setting out how it proposes to exercise its functions during the year.

A plan under this paragraph must include a statement of the Body's objectives and priorities for the year.

Before publishing a plan under this paragraph, the Body must consult such persons as it considers appropriate on its proposed objectives and priorities.

As soon as is practicable after the end of each financial year, the Citizen Voice Body must publish a report (an “annual report”) on the exercise of its functions during the year.