Tasks and powers of the Steering Board
Article 9
1. Within the framework of the guidelines and guidance of the Council referred to in Article 4(1), the Steering Board: (a) shall approve the reports to be submitted to the Council; (b) shall adopt, by unanimity, the Agency's general budget no later than 31 December of each year; (c) shall approve the Agency's three-year Planning Framework, which shall set out the Agency's priorities within the limits of the general budget, noting that the financial values ascribed to years two and three of the Planning Framework are for planning purposes only and do not constitute legally binding ceilings; (d) shall approve the establishment within the Agency of ad hoc projects or programmes in accordance with Article 19; (e) shall appoint the Chief Executive and the Deputy; (f) shall decide that the Agency may be entrusted by one or more Member States with the administrative and financial management of certain activities within its remit in accordance with Article 17; (g) shall approve any recommendations to the Council or the Commission; (h) shall adopt the rules of procedure of the Steering Board; (i) may amend the financial provisions for the implementation of the Agency's general budget; (j) may amend the rules and regulations applicable to temporary and contract staff and seconded national experts; (k) shall determine the technical and financial arrangements regarding Member States' participation or withdrawal referred to in Article 1(4); (l) shall adopt directives regarding the negotiation of administrative arrangements by the Head of the Agency; (m) shall approve the ad hoc arrangements referred to in Article 23(1); (n) shall conclude the administrative arrangements between the Agency and third parties as referred to in Article 26(1); (o) shall approve the annual accounts and balance sheet; (p) shall give its assent to decisions related to the organisational structure of the Agency; (q) shall approve the service level agreements or working arrangements referred to in Article 25, with the exclusion of those which are administrative in nature; (r) shall adopt all other relevant decisions related to the fulfilment of the Agency's mission. 2. Unless otherwise provided for in this Decision, the Steering Board shall take decisions by qualified majority. The votes of the participating Member States shall be weighted in accordance with Article 16(4) and (5) TEU. Only the representatives of the participating Member States shall take part in the vote. 3. If a representative of a participating Member State in the Steering Board declares that, for important and stated reasons of national policy, it intends to oppose the adoption of a decision to be taken by qualified majority, a vote shall not be taken. That representative may refer the matter, through the Head of the Agency, to the Council with a view to issuing guidelines to the Steering Board, as appropriate. Alternatively, the Steering Board, acting by qualified majority, may decide to refer the matter to the Council for decision. The Council shall act by unanimity. 4. The Steering Board, on a proposal from the Chief Executive or from a participating Member State, may decide to set up: (a) committees for the preparation of administrative and budgetary decisions of the Steering Board, composed of delegates of the participating Member States and a representative of the Commission; (b) committees specialised in specific issues within the Agency's remit. These committees shall be composed of delegates of the participating Member States and, unless the Steering Board decides otherwise, a representative of the Commission. The decision to establish such committees shall specify their mandate and duration.