The assembly

The Tobago House of Assembly Legislature Secretariat provides members of the Tobago House of Assembly with professional procedural support and efficient administrative services in an apolitical manner in order that they may effectively perform their functions.

Our Mision

The Assembly Legislature is established to provide Members of the Tobago House of Assembly with professional procedural support and effective administrative services in an apolitical manner, to ensure that their roles and functions are efficiently performed.

About

The Legislative arm (Assembly Legislature) is where all members of the Assembly meet in plenary and/or in select committees to make policy decisions for the operations of the Assembly. These functions are supported by the Assembly Legislature Secretariat and headed by the Presiding Officer. The Clerk of the Assembly is responsible for the efficient discharge of functions of the business of the Assembly.

Our objectives

  • To ensure that the Tobago House of Assembly, its Committees, and Constituency Offices have the necessary procedural, administrative, and research support so that all functions can be done competently. 
  • To provide all Members with the requisite parliamentary advice and assistance, regardless of party affiliation or office.
  • To be efficient and effective in the service delivered while simultaneously ensuring that resources are utilized responsibly and to their maximum capacity.
  • To increase the public’s understanding of the Tobago House of Assembly and its significant development for Tobago.
  • To develop our human and physical resources continuously.
  • To ensure a seamless change management system and process within the Legislature. 

Abby Taylor

Presiding Officer

The Presiding Officer is the spokesperson or representative of the Assembly Legislature in its relations with other authorities and persons outside of the Assembly.

The officeholder presides over all Sittings of the Assembly and has overall responsibility for the maintenance of order and observation of relevant protocol among Members and visitors to the Assembly Chamber and its precincts.

An Executive Secretary liaises with relevant sections of the Secretariat in the performance of clerical, secretarial and general office management functions on behalf of the Presiding Officer.

The Clerk is responsible for the efficient discharge of functions as they relate to the conduct of the business of the Assembly and, in particular, for the maintenance of standards of behaviour and decorum among visitors to the Chamber with the concurrence of the Presiding Officer, in accordance with established practices and procedures. 

In the exercise of the office holders, parliamentary functions the Clerk act under the general direction of the Presiding Officer, the Tobago House of Assembly Act and Standing Orders and refers to practices in the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament, the British House of Commons and other Commonwealth Parliaments.

As the administrative head of the Assembly’s Secretariat, the Clerk exercises administrative direction over the Assembly Legislature having due regard to the general direction of the Presiding Officer, within the framework of the guidelines that exist for management within the Public Service. 

The Clerk is assisted, and deputised where necessary, by the Deputy Clerk

Lincoln Nelson

Clerk of the Assembly

Nial george

Deputy Presiding Officer