View source for Cabinet of the Turks and Caicos Islands

The '''Cabinet of the Turks and Caicos Islands''' comprises the ministers who advise the [[Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands|governor]] on government affairs. It was known as the '''Executive Council''' under the 1988 [[Constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands|Constitution]], and was given its current name in the 2006 Constitution. The Cabinet was disbanded in 2009 when self-government in the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]] was suspended.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tcisun.server301.com/index.php?p=story&id=351|first=Hayden|last=Boyce|title=TCI Constitution suspended|work=Turks & Caicos Sun|date=2009-08-16|accessdate=2012-10-30}}</ref> It was reconstituted after the [[Turks and Caicos Islands general election, 2012|2012 election]].
==Composition==
The Executive Council under the 1988 Constitution consisted of five [[ex officio member]]s—the governor, the chief minister, the chief secretary, the financial secretary, and the [[Attorney-General of the Turks and Caicos Islands|attorney-general]]—and four other ministers appointed by the governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the chief minister, from among the elected members of the Legislative Council.<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|1988|loc=§ 7(1)}}</ref>
The 2006 Constitution made three changes to this structure. First, it replaced the chief minister with the premier. It further removed the chief secretary and financial secretary as ex officio members, instead giving the governor the power to appoint six ministers (among whom one the governor appoints deputy premier in accordance with the advice of the premier). Finally, it removed the restriction that the appointed members be elected members of the legislature, instead stating that they may be either elected or appointed members of the [[Turks and Caicos Islands House of Assembly|House of Assembly]].<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|2006|loc=§ 27(1)}}</ref>
The 2011 Constitution made smaller changes to the composition of the Cabinet: it added the deputy governor, and specified the number of appointed members to be "not more than six" rather than exactly six.<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|2006|loc=§ 27(1)}}</ref>
==Meetings==
The governor presides over meetings of the Cabinet; in his or her absence, this responsibility falls to the deputy governor and then the attorney-general.<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|2011|loc=§ 39(2)}}; formerly {{harvnb|Constitution|2006|loc=§ 35(2)}}. The earlier {{harvnb|Constitution|1988|loc=§ 15(3)}} specified the order of precedence as the Chief Secretary, the Attorney-General, and the Financial Secretary.</ref> The governor summons the Cabinet at his or her discretion, or when requested by at least four members. The 2006 Constitution lets the premier summon the Cabinet as well; the 2011 Constitution preserved that addition and also requires that the Cabinet meet at least once per [[fortnight]].<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|2011|loc=§ 38}}; formerly {{harvnb|Constitution|2011|loc=§ 34}} and {{harvnb|Constitution|1988|loc=§ 14}}</ref>
Five members, among whom at least three are ministers, constitutes a [[quorum]] of the Cabinet.<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|2011|loc=§ 39(3)}}; basically the same as {{harvnb|Constitution|2006|loc=§ 35(3)}} and {{harvnb|Constitution|1988|loc=§ 15(3)}}, aside from a technical amendment which clarifies that business may also be transacted when ''more'' than three Ministers are present.</ref> A minister who is absent from three consecutive Cabinet meetings without the prior permission of the premier is required to vacate his or her office.<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|2011|loc=§ 34(1)(f)}}; formerly {{harvnb|Constitution|2006|loc=§ 30(1)(d)}} and {{harvnb|Constitution|1988|loc=§ 10(1)(d)}}.</ref>
==Powers==
Since the 2006 Constitution, the governor has been required to consult the Cabinet before exercising any function with respect to defence, external affairs, the regulation of international financial services, and internal security (including the Police Force), but not appointment, termination, or disciplinary action regarding public officers. Furthermore, the governor is not obliged to act in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet, and the governor is excused from the obligation to consult the Cabinet in cases of public interest or urgent requirement to act.<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|2006|loc=§ 33(1)(a)–(d) and 33(5)}}; identical to {{harvnb|Constitution|2011|loc=§ 37(1)(a)–(d) and 37(5)}}</ref> Finally, the 2011 Constitution added the new proviso that the governor has discretion to determine on his or her own whether a matter falls within one of the areas which requires consultation with the Cabinet.<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|2011|loc=§ 37(6)}}</ref>
The 2006 Constitution came in for criticism by the 2008 Commission of Inquiry which investigated corruption among members of the House of Assembly. The commission specifically pointed to the fact that, when compared to the 1988 Constitution, the 2006 Constitution gave cabinet ministers too much discretion and did not provide for sufficient checks and balances to prevent ministerial abuse.<ref>{{harvnb|CER|2011|p=4}}</ref>
The 1988 Constitution excused the governor from the obligation to consult with the Executive Council in a broader range of policy areas: not just appointment, termination, and displinary action regarding public officers as under the 2006 constitution, but also defence, external affairs, and internal security were left to the discretion of the governor. The governor was only required to keep the Executive Council informed of his actions in these regards, not to consult with them before acting.<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|1988|loc=§ 5(1)(c) and 13}}</ref> However, in those areas in which consultation was required it placed stricter limits on the governor's ability to act against the advice of the Executive Council. Specifically, the governor had to give thirty days advance notice to the Executive Council that he or she would act against its advice, and also had to obtain the consent of the secretary of state. An exception was given for cases demanding urgent action, but even then the governor would have to explain himself in writing to the secretary of state afterwards.<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution|1988|loc=§ 5(3)}}</ref>
==Current cabinet==
As of November 2022, the makeup of the Cabinet (in order of [[ministerial ranking]]) is:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Government|url=https://gov.tc/government|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands|language=en-gb}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="6" |[[Second W. Misick ministry|Misick Ministry]]
|-
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center" | [[File:Coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands.svg|50px]]
|-
! scope="col" colspan="2" |Incumbent
! Office(s)
! Department
! Constituency
! Took Office
|-
! colspan="6" |Unelected Members
|-
|[[File:Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam (cropped).jpg|alt=|center|frameless|138x138px]]
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |'''[[Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam]]'''
| style="text-align:center" | [[Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands|Governor]]
| style="text-align:center" |TCI Regiment
| style="text-align:center" | Appointed
|{{Start date and age|2023|6|29|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|-
|
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |[[Anya Williams]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands|Deputy Governor]]
| style="text-align:center" | Public Service
| style="text-align:center" | Appointed
|{{Start date and age|2012|10|15|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|-
|
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |[[Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Attorney-General of the Turks and Caicos Islands|Attorney General]]
| style="text-align:center" | Attorney General's Chambers
| style="text-align:center" | Appointed
|{{Start date and age|2014|3|6|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|-
! colspan="6" |Elected Members
|-
|[[File:Washington Misick 2013.jpg|center|frameless|126x126px]]
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |[[Washington Misick]]
| style="text-align:center" | [[Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands|Premier]]
Minister
<small>of Finance, Trade & Investment</small>
| style="text-align:center" |Ministry of Finance, Trade & Investment
| style="text-align:center" | All Island District
|{{Start date and age|2021|2|24|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|-
|
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|[[Jamell Robinson]]
|style="text-align:center" | [[Deputy Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands|Deputy Premier]]
Minister
<small>of Planning and Infrastructure Development</small>
|style="text-align:center" | Ministry of Planning & Infrastructure Development
|style="text-align:center" | All Island District
|{{Start date and age|2024|3|6|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|-
|
!Arlington Musgrove
| style="text-align:center" |Minister
<small>of Immigration, Citizenship & Labour</small>
| style="text-align:center" |Ministry of Immigration, Citizenship & Labour
| style="text-align:center" |[[North Caicos|North]] & [[Middle Caicos]]
|{{Start date and age|2021|2|24|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|-
|
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |[[Josephine Connolly]]
| style="text-align:center" | Minister
<small>of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Maritime & Gaming</small>
| style="text-align:center" | Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Maritime & Gaming
| style="text-align:center" | All Island District
|{{Start date and age|2021|2|24|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|-
|
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |Otis Chuck Morris
| style="text-align:center" | Minister
<small>of Home Affairs, Transportation & Communication</small>
| style="text-align:center" | Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation & Communication
| style="text-align:center" | [[Grand Turk Island|Grand Turk]] North
|{{Start date and age|2021|2|24|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|-
|
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |Rachel Taylor
| style="text-align:center" | Minister
<small>of Education, Youth, Culture & Library Services</small>
| style="text-align:center" | Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture & Library Services
| style="text-align:center" | [[Five Cays]]
|{{Start date and age|2021|2|24|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|-
|
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |Shaun David Malcolm
| style="text-align:center" | Minister
<small>of Health, Agriculture, Sports & Human Services</small>
| style="text-align:center" | Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Food Services & Sports
| style="text-align:center" | All Island District
|{{Start date and age|2022|11|8|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|-
|
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |Kyle Knowles
| style="text-align:center" | Minister
<small>of Public Safety & Utilities</small>
| style="text-align:center" | Ministry of Public Safety & Utilities
| style="text-align:center" | [[Wheeland]] & [[West Caicos]]
|{{Start date and age|2024|3|6|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
|}
==Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}
==References==
*{{cite book|url=http://tcipost.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CER-final-recommendations-Feb-2011.pdf|title=Final recommendations for changes to constitutional and electoral arrangements in the Turks and Caicos Islands|publisher=Constitutional and Electoral Reform Project|location=Turks and Caicos Islands|date=February 2011|accessdate=2012-10-30|ref=CITEREFCER2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527035430/http://tcipost.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CER-final-recommendations-Feb-2011.pdf|archive-date=2018-05-27|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite book|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1681/made|title=The Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2011|publisher=legislation.gov.uk|accessdate=2012-10-30|ref=CITEREFConstitution2011}}
*{{cite book|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/1913/schedule/2/made|chapter=Schedule 2: The Constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands|title=The Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006|publisher=legislation.gov.uk|accessdate=2012-10-30|ref=CITEREFConstitution2006}}
*{{cite book|url=http://www.lawsconsolidated.tc/THE%20CONSTITUTION%20(1).pdf|title=The Constitution of the Turks & Caicos Islands and Related Legislation|publisher=Law Revision Commissioner|location=Turks and Caicos Islands|date=1998-05-15|accessdate=2012-10-30|ref=CITEREFConstitution1988|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126203633/http://www.lawsconsolidated.tc/THE%20CONSTITUTION%20%281%29.pdf|archive-date=2012-01-26|url-status=dead}}
{{North America topic|Cabinet of |title=National cabinets of North America}}
[[Category:Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands]]