Explanatory note

This Order amends the Nursing and Midwifery Council (Constitution) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2553) (“the 2008 Order”).

Article 2 of the 2008 Order provides for the size and composition of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Article 2(1)(a) of this Order amends the size of the Council from 7 registrant and 7 lay members to 6 registrant and 6 lay members.

Article 3 of the 2008 Order sets out the terms of office that an individual member of the Council can serve. Article 2(1)(b) of this Order amends the maximum term of office that an individual can serve from a maximum of 6 years to a total of 8 years within any continuous 20 year period.

Article 10 of the 2008 Order sets the quorum for meetings of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Article 2(1)(c) of this Order changes the quorum of Council meetings from 8 to 7 to reflect the new smaller Council size.

Article 3 of this Order contains transitional provisions that make clear that the changes to the size of the Nursing and Midwifery Council have the effect of bringing to an end the terms of office of all members of the Council who are in office when this Order comes into force except that of a Chair appointed after 29th March 2012. Members of the Council whose terms of office are brought to an end by this Order can be appointed by the Privy Council to the new smaller Council.