Please note: Prior to May 2010 Nominet had a Policy Advisory Body and the following pages are presented for historical reference only. The new policy process focusing on issues, with stakeholders at the heart of it, was introduced in May 2010. Find out about the current .uk Policy Process.

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The Policy Advisory Body (PAB), previously known as the Policy Advisory Board, was set up in March 1999 to develop proposals for policies and rules for consideration by Nominet's Board. The PAB acts as a bridge between Nominet stakeholders and the Board and is intended to channel stakeholder feedback into the development of Nominet policy.

Role

To provide non-binding advice to the Board on the non-operational guiding principles regarding the oversight of the .uk domain name registry. This includes:

Giving policy advice to Nominet's Board of directors. This advice is not binding but carries strong influence and the Board is obliged to take any such advice into consideration when making decisions.

• Providing policy advice which:
  • Is sufficiently clear to be acted upon and flexible enough to apply as a general theme/rule/idea.
  • Assists in advising on the policy direction Nominet should be moving towards, but not how to get there.

• Considering and bringing to the attention of the Board any policy issues that may be of future importance or affect the .uk namespace.
• The periodic review of current policies.
• Periodic review of the performance of the PAB and PAB members
  

Structure and Controls

The PAB is governed by the PAB rules. The PAB can propose changes to the PAB rules, taking into account input from the Executive or others where appropriate, for approval by the Board.

PAB controls include a code of conduct and processes for:

• The declaration of potential conflicts of interests.
• The removal of PAB members for gross misconduct.
• The maintenance of a PAB register of interests.
  

PAB and Member Communication

The PAB should:

• Be prepared to occasionally represent the PAB at member events such as member lunches and registrar workshops.
• Educate members about the work of the PAB and the effect that policy changes have had.
• Communicate with members via a PAB session at relevant meetings of the company.
• Report to members as part of the Nominet annual report.
• Communicate with members generally on matters of policy.
• Pass on any relevant communications, feedback and comments made by members to the Company.
• Approve and publish the PAB meeting report.
• Get members views on nom-steer and contribute to the open public debate of Nominet's policies.
  

PAB and Stakeholder Communication

The PAB should:

• Field people to represent the PAB at stakeholder events.
• Assist Nominet in educating stakeholders about the work of the PAB and the effect that policy changes have had.
• Report to stakeholders as part of the Nominet annual report.
• Assist Nominet in communicating with stakeholders generally on matters of policy.
• Pass on any relevant communications, feedback and comments made by stakeholders to the Company.
  

Consultations

The PAB should agree, communicate to Nominet and publish a PAB response to Nominet consultations. This may include setting up working groups and/or sub committees as appropriate. (The terms of reference for these committees will specify the relevant responsibilities).

PAB Members

The membership of the PAB is drawn from representatives of up to eight appointed organisations, up to eight individuals selected by Nominet members and up to two non-executive directors. The appointed members are currently drawn from The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (formerly the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform), The All Party Parliamentary Communications Group, the Information Commissioner's Office, the Institute of Trademark Attorneys, the Federation of Small Business and Intellect.

You are encouraged to contact any of the PAB members in order to raise issues or suggest ideas.

Meetings

The PAB holds closed meetings in central London on the second Wednesday of alternate months. Meeting reports are published and anyone wishing to put forward agenda items should email pab-suggest@nominet.org.uk with your suggestions.

The proposed meeting dates for 2010 are:-

• Wednesday 13 January
• Wednesday 10 March
• Wednesday 12 May
• Wednesday 14 July
• Wednesday 8 September
• Wednesday 10 November

Work programme 2009/2010

The PAB has adopted a work programme (pdf) for 2009/2010.