(1) This section shall have effect in relation to any statutory board.
(2) Subject to any relevant enactment respecting a quorum, the functions of a statutory board shall not be affected by any vacancy in the membership thereof.
(3) Power conferred by or under any enactment upon any authority or person to appoint all the members of a statutory board shall include power—
(a) to appoint the chairperson thereof from time to time as occasion requires; and
(b) to appoint individual persons as alternative members thereof,
and any alternative member so appointed may act as a member of the statutory board only when the member to whom he or she is alternate is for any reason unable to perform his or her functions as such member; and an alternate member when so acting shall have and perform all the functions of the member in whose place he or she so acts.
(4) Any authority or person empowered by or under any enactment to appoint or designate a person either to be a member of a statutory board or to perform any other functions may—
(a) appoint or designate a person by name; or
(b) direct the person holding such office as is specified in the direction to be such member or to perform such other functions,
and it shall be the duty of any person or officer so appointed, designated or directed to perform such respective functions accordingly.