Schedule 2
The Consumer Council for Postal Services
200.Schedule 2 sets out a series of detailed provisions regarding the membership and constitution of the Council.
201.Paragraph 1 provides for the membership of the Council. There must be a Chairman appointed by the Secretary of State. The Chairmen of the regional committees for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and any committee for England are members by virtue of their office. The Secretary of State may appoint such other members as he may from time to time determine subject to consulting the Chairman before making any such appointments.
202.Paragraph 2 provides that the regional committees for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and any committee for England shall consist of a Chairman appointed by the Secretary of State after consultation with the Chairman of the Council and other members appointed by the Council. It also makes provisions about the formation of regional committees and the appointment of the Chairmen.
203.Paragraph 3 provides that the Council in consultation with the Secretary of State shall decide the nature of regional committees and make provisions about the procedure for making changes to such committees.
204.Paragraph 4 allows both the Council and any of its committees to establish other committees and that the members may include persons who are not members of the Council or of its committees and makes provisions about members vacating office.
205.Paragraph 5 provides that subject to this schedule the Chairmen and all members of the Council shall hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of their appointments.
206.Paragraph 6 provides that the Chairmen and all members of the Council may resign by giving notice to the Secretary of State and provides that the Secretary of State may remove any Council member on grounds of incapacity or misbehaviour. It also provides that where a person ceases to be the Chairman of the Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland regional committees or of any committee for England then he shall cease to be a member of the Council. Previous service in any capacity on the Council does not disqualify someone from being appointed again.
207.Paragraph 7 makes provision for the Council to pay and remunerate its members. It also makes provision for the Secretary of State to authorise the Council to pay compensation where a person ceases to be a member where in his view there are special circumstances.
208.Paragraph 8 provides the Council with a duty to appoint a principal officer, and a power to appoint other staff, on such terms and conditions of service as the Minister for the Civil Service may approve.
209.Paragraph 9 provides for the Council’s staff to be eligible for schemes under the Superannuation Act 1972. This allows staff to have pensions analogous to those of civil servants.
210.Paragraph 10 provides that the Council may regulate its own proceedings including its quorum.
211.Paragraph 11 provides for the authentication of the Council’s common seal.
212.Paragraph 12 provides for a document executed under the seal of the Council, or signed on its behalf, to be received in evidence.
213.Paragraph 13 sets out the power of the Council to delegate to any member, or member of staff, of the Council or a Committee who is authorised for that purpose.
214.Paragraph 14 provides supplementary powers for the Council. It provides that the Council has power to do anything (except borrow money) which is calculated to facilitate, or which is incidental or conducive to, the performance of any of its functions.
215.Paragraph 15 provides that the Council must perform duties of a financial nature specified in notices from the Secretary of State which have been approved by Treasury.
216.Paragraph 16 requires the Council to prepare annual accounts that give a true and fair view of its financial affairs and for such accounts to be sent to the Secretary of State and laid before each House of Parliament.
217.Paragraph 17 provides that the Secretary of State may pay such amounts in respect of the expenses of the Council as he may determine.
