Cap. 445 Art. 12National Council for Cultural Heritage. Renumbered/

There shall be a National Council for Cultural Heritage, which shall be composed as follows:

(a) a Chairperson appointed by the Minister;

(b) a person appointed by the Minister responsible for tourism;

(c) a person appointed by the Minister responsible for Gozo;

(d) a person appointed by the Minister responsible for government property;

(e) the Superintendent ex officio;

(f) the Chairperson of the Agency ex officio;

(g) the Chairperson of the Planning Authority ex officio;

(h) the Chairperson of the Environment and Resources Authority ex officio;

(i) the Director of the Restoration Directorate;

(j) a member of the Catholic Cultural Heritage Commission referred to in article 69 appointed by the competent local ecclesiastical authority; and

(k) four (4) other persons appointed by the Minister, three

(3) from amongst persons working in the field of cultural heritage and in non-Governmental organisations dedicated to cultural heritage, and another person active in the commercial sector.

(2) The Chairperson of the Council and the members referred to in sub-article (1) shall be appointed for a period of three (3) years and may be reappointed for further periods of three (3) years each.

(3) The Council shall meet at least once every two months. Its meetings shall be called by the Chairperson either on his own initiative or at the request of any three (3) of the other members.

(4) Five (5) members shall form a quorum and decisions shall be adopted by a simple majority of all the members of the Council. The Chairperson shall have an initial vote and, in the event of an equality of votes, a casting vote.

(5) Subject to the provisions of this Act and to such procedures as may be prescribed, the Council shall regulate its own proceedings.

(6) The Council shall:

(a) without prejudice to the provisions of this Act, co-ordinate the entities established under articles 7 and 8;

(b) ensure and facilitate the collaboration between the different agencies with direct or indirect responsibility for the protection and management of the cultural heritage sector;

(c) advise the Government on the National Strategy for Cultural Heritage and subsequently oversee and monitor the implementation of the strategy as adopted by Government and as directed by the Minister;

(d) draw the attention of the Government or of any organisation or person to any urgent action that may be required in the field of cultural heritage;

(e) meet regularly and consult, at least, every four (4) months, with non-governmental organisations working in the field of cultural heritage and with persons operating in the commercial sector; and

(f) advise the Minister on any matter arising from the provisions of this Act and on any other matter referred to it by the Minister.

(7) Any member who has a direct or indirect interest in any contract or other action made or proposed to be made by the Council shall disclose the nature of his interest at the first meeting of the Council after the relevant facts have come to his knowledge. Such disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting, and such member shall withdraw from any meeting while such matter is discussed or decided by the Council.