The Council normally meets three times a year but meets more often when there is a specific need. The meetings are held at the Assay Offices in rotation. At the meetings the Council members receive a report from each Assay Office on its activities, and are supplied with statistical information which includes the number of articles assayed. Details of possible prosecutions are also considered. Specific items of business are addressed and these can range from applications for an increase in the maximum charges to the approval of a specific mark to celebrate the Millennium and the introduction of marking articles by laser.