The Coat of Arms of Tobago (1816), with the addition of appropriate colouring, was first adopted as the Assembly’s logo or crest. Over the years, there were further adaptations to both the design and colouring made by persons using the logo for various reasons.
The Executive Council of the Assembly, in an effort to standardize the logo, examined the variations in use and decided to accept the coloured version of the Tobago Coat of Arms (1816) but with a few adjustments. A band encircling the whole and bearing the words “Tobago House of Assembly” was added to facilitate ready identification of the symbol without interfering with the integrity of the emblem as previously adopted. This crest is now the Crest/ Logo/ Emblem to be used on all official stationery, flags and other memorabilia, with effect from 1st December, 2003.
The official colours of the Assembly, for the purposes of decorations, buntings, etc. have been identified as blue, green and yellow. Blue – represents the sea around us. Green – represents the verdant green of the vegetation. Yellow – represents the sun, which energizes our people, as it radiates light and warmth. The Assembly’s Seal The Tobago House of Assembly Act requires the Assembly to have a common seal. For this purpose, the Flag Badge of Tobago (1830), with the words “Tobago House of Assembly” encircling same, has been chosen.
The Tobago House of Assembly Act No. 37 of 1980 was established for the purpose of making provision for the administration of the island of Tobago and for matters therewith. This act was amended by Acts No. 40 of 1980 and No. 25 of 1982 and is now incorporated into the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago as Chapter 25:03. The Tobago House of Assembly Standing Orders, 1990, outline the Assembly's business conduct. The Assembly's first Plenary Sittings were held in the Supreme Court of the Judiciary on Bacolet Street. In 1985, the Assembly moved to the restored Chamber of the Administration Building, which was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on November 3, 1985.
The Tobago House of Assembly Act No.40 of 1966 Cancelled and replaced Act No. 37 of 1980 and was established to provide for the membership, powers and functions of the Tobago House of Assembly and its Executive Council and matters incidental thereto. The Tobago House of Assembly Standing Orders, 1997 made up the guidelines for the conduct of the business of the Assembly, in accordance with the provisions of the revised Tobago House of Assembly Act, 1996. In 2000, the Report of The Dispute Resolution Commission appointed in accordance with Section 56 of the Tobago House of Assembly Act, 1996, recommended that a percentage in the range of 4.03% to 6.9% of the national budget, 4.03 being the minimum, be allocated to the Assembly to cover both the recurrent and development allocations for each financial year with such percentage to be reviewed from year-to -year in case of prevailing circumstances. This was adopted in Parliament.
The Tobago House of Assembly has undergone several revisions since 1997, including the Standing Orders, which were revised in 2000, 2006, and 2008. The Tobago House of Assembly (Amendment Act) No. 17 of 2006 increased the Executive Council's composition from seven to nine members. The Assembly Police Bill was passed in 2003, and Guidelines to Parliamentary Procedures were issued in 2003 and revised in 2005. The House of Assembly has also established offices for the Presiding Officer and Minority Leader, and undergone significant restoration work on the Administration Building on Jerningham Street. The building has also undergone renovations, including the establishment of a Members' Library and Information Centre, Committee Room, and Members' Lounge in 2010.
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.
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