Meetings and procedure
9.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (9), the Board shall, by means of Standing Orders, regulate its own procedure and that of its committees and may vary or revoke such Standing Orders.
(2) The Board may act notwithstanding any vacancy among its members.
(3) No defect in the appointment of any member shall invalidate any proceedings of the Board.
(4) The quorum at any meeting of the Board shall consist of four members, of whom—
(a)at least one shall be a registered nurse, a practising midwife or a registered health visitor;
(b)at least two shall be members other than officer members; and
(c)at least one shall be an officer member.
(5) At any meeting of the Board the chairman, if present, shall preside.
(6) If the chairman and deputy chairman are absent, such member (who is not an officer member) as the members present shall choose shall preside.
(7) All acts of, and all matters coming before the Board shall be done and decided upon by a majority of the members present and voting at the meeting of the Board and, in the case of an equal number of votes, the person presiding shall have a second or casting vote.
(8) If a member has any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in any contract, proposed contract or other matter and is present at a meeting of the Board at which the contract, proposed contract or other matter is the subject of consideration, he shall at the meeting and as soon as practicable after its commencement disclose the fact and shall not take part in the consideration or discussion of the contract, proposed contract or other matter or vote on any question with respect to it.
(9) Reference to the chairman in paragraph (5) shall, so long as there is no chairman able to perform his duties, be taken to include reference to the deputy chairman.