15.—(1) This regulation applies if—
(a)the chair is suspended under regulation 12,
(b)the office of chair is temporarily vacant for any reason, or
(c)the chair is unable or unwilling to perform the duties of chair owing to illness, absence or any other cause.
(2) Where this regulation applies the vice-chair is to act as chair until a new chair is appointed or the existing chair resumes the chair’s duties.
16.—(1) Subject to any directions given by the Welsh Ministers, DHCW may—
(a)establish committees and sub-committees;
(b)together with one or more Special Health Authorities, establish joint committees or joint sub-committees;
consisting wholly or partly of persons who are not members of DHCW.
(2) DHCW must establish any such committees, sub-committees, joint committees and joint sub-committees referred to in paragraph (1) if directed to do so by the Welsh Ministers.
17.—(1) Subject to any directions given by the Welsh Ministers, DHCW may make arrangements for the exercise of any of its functions by a committee, sub-committee, joint committee or joint sub-committee appointed under regulation 16, or by an officer of DHCW, subject to such restrictions and conditions as DHCW thinks fit.
(2) An arrangement under paragraph (1) does not affect DHCW’s responsibility for or its ability to exercise a delegated function.
18.—(1) Subject to any directions given by the Welsh Ministers, DHCW must make standing orders for the regulation of its proceedings and business.
(2) Where a committee, sub-committee, joint committee or joint sub-committee has been established in accordance with regulation 16, subject to any directions given by the Welsh Ministers, DHCW must approve any standing orders that may be made by that committee, sub-committee, joint committee or joint sub-committee.