The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is this country's oldest political institution. The Assembly is older than Trinidad and Tobago itself, since the twin-island union was set up in 1889 by the British government ant the THA's first incarnation was in 1768. Today's Assembly was created by Act 37 of 1980 for "making better provision for the administration of the island of Tobago and for matters therein." The Legislative Arm (Assembly Legislature) is where all members of the Assembly meet in plenary and/or select committees to make policy decisions with respect to its operations. These functions are supported by the Assembly Legislature Secretariat which is headed by the Presiding Officer, with the Clerk of the Assembly responsible for the discharge of functions as they relate to the conduct of the business of the Assembly. The Executive Arm of the Assembly is headed by the Chief Secretary in his capacity as leader of the Executive Council, which has individual and collective responsibility for carrying out the functions of the Assembly through the Divisions. Each Division is headed by a Secretary with an Administrator serving as Accounting Officer with responsibility for operations. The Chief Administrator is the most senior public officer in the administration and is attached to the Office of the Chief Secretary.
