 the agency to decide how many panel members should be present at each panel meeting. However, a panel should not be so large as to make it difficult to chair the meeting or intimidating for those attending the meeting. 1.42. The panel’s business can only be conducted if at least five members (six for joint panels) are present, including the chair or vice chair and a social worker with at least three years’ relevant post-qualifying experience (see AAR 3.1.a). Where the vice-chair has to chair the meeting, and is not an independent member, at least one independent member will need to be present for the panel to be quorum. 1.43. The panel chair should make it clear that every member’s view is as valid as others’ and encourage them to participate and contribute to the panel’s recommendations. 1.44. The panel must keep minutes of its meetings and a written record of its recommendations and reasons. The panel chair is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the panel’s recommendations, reasons and, following agreement with panel members, the minutes. The chair must also make sure that a person who is not a member of the panel fulfils the task of writing these documents. 1.45. It is important that the panel minutes carefully record the names of panel members attending the meeting, and the names and roles of any other people present at the meeting. The minutes must accurately reflect the discussion and cover the key issues, rather than be a verbatim record of the meeting. Where panel members have serious reservations, the panel chair must ensure these are recorded in the minutes and are attached to the panel’s recommendation. If the panel cannot reach a consensus on its recommendation after the chair and other members of the panel have voted, the panel chair has a second vote