Section 8 of the Principal Act is amended as follows:

(a) by omitting from subsection (1)(d) "3" and substituting "4" ;

(b) by omitting paragraphs (f) and (g) from subsection (1) ;

(c) by omitting paragraph (i) from subsection (1) and substituting the following paragraph:

(i) 2 students appointed by the Council, after consultation with any relevant student associations;

(d) by omitting from subsection (1)(j) "3" and substituting "4" ;

(e) by inserting in subsection (1)(j) "or general staff" after "staff" ;

(f) by omitting subsection (2) ;

(g) by omitting subsection (5) and substituting the following subsection:

(5)  Before making an appointment to the Council, the Minister and the Council must –

(a) give public notification of the vacancy; and

(b) consult with each other about any intended appointment; and

(c) have regard to the balance of skills and experience, regional representation and an appropriate gender balance.