The Council Chairman must be a non-executive member of the Council.

Nothing in sub-paragraph (4) prevents the Secretary of State from appointing under sub-paragraph (1)(c) a person who is a member of either Panel but is not the subject of a nomination for the purposes of sub-paragraph (4).

In making appointments to the Council under sub-paragraph (1)(c) the Secretary of State must secure that a majority of the members of the Council are non-executive members.

In making appointments to the Council, the Secretary of State must have regard to the desirability of including among the members of the Council one or more persons with experience of work among, and the special needs of, disabled persons.

A non-executive member must be appointed for a fixed period.

The period for which a non-executive member is appointed must not exceed 5 years.

A person who has held office as a non-executive member may be re-appointed as a non-executive member, once only, for a further period (whether consecutive or not) not exceeding 5 years.

The Secretary of State may remove any person from office as chairman or another member of the Council on the grounds that the person is unable, unfit or unwilling to discharge the functions of the office.

The Council is to employ a person as its Chief Executive.

The Council may appoint such other staff, on such terms and conditions, as it considers appropriate.

The approval of the Secretary of State as to numbers and as to terms and conditions of staff is required for the exercise by the Council of its powers under sub-paragraph (1).

The persons to whom section 1 of the Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11) (persons to or in respect of whom benefits may be provided by schemes under that section) applies are to include the Chief Executive and the other employees of the Council.

Accordingly, in Schedule 1 to that Act (employment to which superannuation schemes may extend), in the list of other bodies, at the appropriate place insert— “ The National Consumer Council established under the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007. ”

The Council must pay to the Minister for the Civil Service, at such times as that Minister may direct, such sums as that Minister may determine in respect of the increase attributable to sub-paragraph (1) in the sums payable out of money provided by Parliament under that Act.

The Council may make arrangements with such persons as it considers appropriate for assistance to be provided to it.

Arrangements may include the paying of fees to such persons.

A territorial committee is to consist of a chairman, and such other members, as the Secretary of State may appoint.

The chairman of a territorial committee must be a non-executive member of the committee.

In appointing persons to a territorial committee the Secretary of State must secure that a majority of the members of the committee are non-executive members.

A person may be appointed as an executive member of a territorial committee only if the person has been nominated for the appointment by the Council Chairman, after consultation with the chairman of the territorial committee.

In making appointments to a territorial committee, the Secretary of State must have regard to the desirability of including among the members of the committee one or more persons with experience of work among, and the special needs of, disabled persons.

The Council may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, establish one or more committees for areas within the United Kingdom.

In this Schedule references to a “regional committee” are to a committee established under sub-paragraph (1).

The Council may not abolish a regional committee, or alter the area for which a regional committee is established, except with the approval of the Secretary of State.

A notice under sub-paragraph (5) must be given by publishing it in such manner as the Council considers appropriate for bringing the proposals to the attention of those likely to be affected by them.

The Secretary of State may not give his approval under sub-paragraph (4) until after the period specified in the notice under sub-paragraph (5).

A regional committee is to consist of a chairman, and such other members, as the Council may appoint.

The chairman of a regional committee must be a non-executive member of the committee.

In appointing persons to a regional committee the Council must secure that a majority of the members of the committee are non-executive members.

In making appointments to a regional committee, the Council must have regard to the desirability of including among the members of the committee one or more persons with experience of work among, and the special needs of, disabled persons.

A committee may establish sub-committees.

The members of a committee or sub-committee may include persons who are not members of the Council.

The members of a sub-committee established by a committee may include persons who are not members of the committee.

For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1), the non-executive members of a committee established under paragraph 14 or a sub-committee are such of its members as are not also members of the staff of the Council.

A non-executive member of a territorial or regional committee must be appointed for a fixed period.

The period for which a non-executive member of a territorial or regional committee is appointed must not exceed 5 years.

A person who has held office as a non-executive member of a territorial or regional committee may be re-appointed as a non-executive member of that committee, once only, for a further period (whether consecutive or not) not exceeding 5 years.

The Secretary of State may remove any person from office as chairman or another member of a territorial committee on the grounds that the person is unable, unfit or unwilling to discharge the functions of the office.

The Council must maintain an office in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The Council may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, establish additional offices in the United Kingdom.

Section 8 of the Utilities Act 2000 (c. 27) (payments by licence holders relating to new arrangements) is amended as follows.

In subsection (2) after “subsection (3)” insert “ or (3A) ”.

After that subsection insert—

In subsection (4) for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—

For subsection (5) substitute—

In subsection (6) after “licence” insert “ or any code or agreement ”.

Omit subsection (7).

For subsection (8) substitute—

In subsection (9) after “(3)” insert “ or (3A) ”.

After that subsection insert—

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

In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24) (bodies of which all members are disqualified) at the appropriate place insert— “ The National Consumer Council. ”

In Part 3 of that Schedule (other disqualifying offices) at the appropriate place insert— “ A member of a committee of the National Consumer Council established under section 1 of, or paragraph 12 of Schedule 1 to, the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (territorial and regional committees). ”

In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25) (bodies of which all members are disqualified) at the appropriate place insert— “ The National Consumer Council. ”

In Part 3 of that Schedule (other disqualifying offices) at the appropriate place insert— “ A member of a committee of the National Consumer Council established under section 1 of, or paragraph 12 of Schedule 1 to, the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (territorial and regional committees). ”

In Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51) (definition of public records) at the appropriate place in Part 2 of the Table at the end of paragraph 3 insert— “ The National Consumer Council. ”

A person to whom this paragraph applies is not liable in damages for anything done or omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of the functions of the Council conferred by or by virtue of this or any other enactment.