Cabinet of the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Cabinet of the Turks and Caicos Islands comprises the ministers who advise the Governor on government affairs. It was known as the Executive Council under the 1988 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. It was reconstituted after the 2012 election.

The Executive Council under the 1988 Constitution consisted of five ex officio members — the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary, and the 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.

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 House of Assembly.

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.

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. 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.

Five members, among whom at least three are Ministers, constitutes a quorum of the Cabinet. 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.

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