The Food Security Act

A board member appointed under the Act must hold office for three years from appointment and may be re-appointed for one further three-year term.

A Board member may resign by written notice to the Minister, and the Minister must appoint a replacement if a member leaves before the term ends.

The Board must meet four times a year for ordinary business and may hold extra ordinary meetings when it considers them necessary for carrying out its functions under the Act.

The Board must appoint one of its members as Vice Chairman.

The Chairman convenes Board meetings; if absent, the Vice Chairman does. If both are absent, members present elect an interim chairman. A special meeting must be convened on written request signed by at least four Board members and held within 21 days.

The Board may co-opt a person to attend Board deliberations as an expert, but that person has no right to vote.

The Board generally decides by voting at a meeting, with the chair or presiding person having a casting vote if votes are tied.

Board meetings need half the members present for a quorum, and Board business is decided by a simple majority of members present.

The Board may act despite vacancies, and its acts are not invalid just because a member’s appointment has a defect, subject to the Schedule’s quorum rule.

A board member with an interest in a contract, proposed contract, or other matter before the Board must declare the nature of that interest to the other members.

Board meeting minutes must be kept, confirmed at the next Board meeting, and signed by the meeting chair.

The Board may determine the shape, size, and form of its common seal, and the seal may only be affixed to certain documents when the required officials are present.

The Board has power to regulate its own procedures for meetings and for the proper conduct of its business, subject to the Act.