Membership
54.Paragraph 1(1) of the schedule sets out the membership of the Commission. The Commission is to consist of (a) a member to chair it, and (b) 2, 3 or 4 other members. Sub-paragraph (5) allows the Scottish Ministers to amend the number of members other than the chair by regulations subject to the negative procedure (see sub-paragraph (6)). The members will be appointed by the Scottish Ministers, but the appointment may only be made if the Scottish Parliament has approved the appointment (sub-paragraphs (2) and (3)).
55.Paragraph 1(4) requires the Scottish Ministers, in proposing persons to the Scottish Parliament for approval for appointment to the Commission, to have regard to the desirability of securing that the Commission (as a whole) has experience in or knowledge of: (a) the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policy relating to child poverty, (b) research in connection with child poverty, and (c) work with children and families experiencing poverty.
56.In addition, appointments to the Commission will be public appointments and therefore subject to the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003. That means that appointments will be made after fair and open competition and the appointments process will be regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.