These regulations replace the provision made in the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Membership, Committee and Procedure) Regulations 2000 for the membership and procedure of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (“the Service”).

The principal changes introduced are as follows. The number of members appointed by the Secretary of State in addition to the chairman is to be reduced from ten to nine, once the amendment to paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 comes into force (regulation 4). There is no longer a requirement for a member to reside in Wales. An officer or employee of the Service may not be a member (regulation 6). The Secretary of State has a new power to suspend a member from office in addition to being able to remove him (regulation 10). The Service has similar powers in respect of members it has co-opted (regulation 11). Members who have an interest in a matter brought up for consideration at meetings of the Service must now disclose that interest and must not participate in meetings of the Service at which that matter is discussed (regulation 19). Provision is made for a representative of the Secretary of State and for the chief executive to attend meetings of the Service and to receive copies of documents distributed prior to such meetings (regulations 23 and 24). The Service is no longer required to have a finance committee.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.