(2) The Minister shall designate one member as chairman of the Council and one member as vice-chairman of the Council and the vice-chairman shall exercise the functions of the chairman during any period that the chairman is unable to exercise them. (3) The Minister shall publish the names of the persons appointed in terms of paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) of subsection (1) by notice in the Gazette. (4) The appointments made in terms of subsection (1) shall be for a renewable period of three years, but shall cease if the appointee— (a) serves the Minister with a written notice of resignation; or (b) is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Council without the permission of the chairman; or (c) is convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a term exceeding six months or to a fine exceeding level four; or (d) is incapacitated by prolonged physical or mental illness from performing his duties as a member of the Council; or (e) conducts himself in a manner deemed by the Minister, in consultation with the Council, to be inconsistent with membership of the Council; or (f) is adjudged bankrupt or has entered into a scheme or arrangement with his creditors. 8 Duties and functions of the Council (1) The following shall be the functions of the Council— (a) to advise on policy formulation and give directions on the implementation of this Act; and (b) to advise on national goals and objectives and determine policies and priorities for the protection of the environment; and (c) to promote co-operation among public departments, local authorities, private sector, non-governmental organisations and such other organisations engaged in environmental protection programmes; and (d) to make recommendations to all appropriate persons and authorities regarding the harmonisation of functions related to the environment; (e) to review and recommend to the Minister guidelines for environmental management plans and environmental action plans; and (f) to review the national environmental plan; and (g) to review and recommend incentives for the protection of the environment; and (h) to perform such other functions as are assigned to it by the Minister under this Act. (2) The Council shall meet at least four times in every financial year, at such place as it may deem appropriate for the transaction of its business. (3) The chairman or, in his absence, the vice-chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Council. (4) The secretary to the Council shall prepare and keep all the records of the proceedings of meetings of the Council. (5) The powers of the Council shall not be affected by any vacancy in the membership thereof nor by any defect in the appointment of a person who is a member of the Council. 14