Executive Council of the Falkland Islands
Encyclopedia
The Executive Council of the Falkland Islands is the policy making body of the Government of the Falkland Islands
, exercising executive power by advising the Governor
. It has an equivalent role to that of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom
.
is prescribed in Chapter V of the Falkland Islands Constitution, which came into force on 1 January 2009. The executive authority of the Falkland Islands is vested in the Queen
, and that authority is exercised on her behalf by the Governor of the Falkland Islands
, who acts on the advice of the Executive Council. Although the constitution gives the Governor the power to act against the advice of the Executive Council, if the Governor ever did this, s/he would be required to immediately report the matter to Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom with the reasons for his or her actions.
The Executive Council can set up a Committee to which it can delegate any of its powers, such as the selecting of a Chief Executive
, although any decision made by the Committee has to be approved by the Executive Council. Meetings of the Executive Council take place at the discretion of the Governor, although the Governor is obliged to hold a meeting if two or more Councillors request one. Council meetings normally take place monthly.
constituency and at least one must represent a Camp
constituency. The term of office
for an Executive Council member is twelve months, after which time the Legislative Assembly elects new members to the Council, although Councillors are permitted to seek re-election to the Council as often as they like. Membership of the Council can end early if a Councillor resigns, or if an elected member ceases to also be a member of the Legislative Assembly. An elected Councillor member can be forcibly removed from the Council by a resolution in the Legislative Assembly. Also, membership is revoked automatically if a Councillor is absent for three consecutive Council meetings without permission.
There are also two ex officio members of the Council, the Chief Executive
and the Director of Finance of the Falkland Islands, although they are barred from voting in the Council's meetings. The Commander of the British Forces in the South Atlantic Islands and the Attorney General
of the Falkland Islands are also permitted to attend Council meetings, although they are not members of the Council and cannot vote. The Governor is also present at meetings of the Executive Council, acting as chairperson.
. The wording is specified in Annex B to the Constitution:
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
, exercising executive power by advising the Governor
Governor of the Falkland Islands
The Governor of the Falkland Islands is the representative of the British Crown in the Falkland Islands, acting "in Her Majesty's name and on Her Majesty's behalf" as the islands' de facto head of state in the absence of the British monarch...
. It has an equivalent role to that of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Powers
The powers, function, membership and tenure of the Executive CouncilExecutive Council (Commonwealth countries)
An Executive Council in Commonwealth constitutional practice based on the Westminster system is a constitutional organ which exercises executive power and advises the governor or governor-general. Executive Councils often make decisions via Orders in Council.Executive Councillors are informally...
is prescribed in Chapter V of the Falkland Islands Constitution, which came into force on 1 January 2009. The executive authority of the Falkland Islands is vested in the Queen
Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
, and that authority is exercised on her behalf by the Governor of the Falkland Islands
Governor of the Falkland Islands
The Governor of the Falkland Islands is the representative of the British Crown in the Falkland Islands, acting "in Her Majesty's name and on Her Majesty's behalf" as the islands' de facto head of state in the absence of the British monarch...
, who acts on the advice of the Executive Council. Although the constitution gives the Governor the power to act against the advice of the Executive Council, if the Governor ever did this, s/he would be required to immediately report the matter to Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom with the reasons for his or her actions.
The Executive Council can set up a Committee to which it can delegate any of its powers, such as the selecting of a Chief Executive
Chief Executive of the Falkland Islands
The Chief Executive of the Falklands Islands is the head of government of the Falkland Islands, as well as head of the public service responsible for the efficient and effective management of the Falkland Islands Government...
, although any decision made by the Committee has to be approved by the Executive Council. Meetings of the Executive Council take place at the discretion of the Governor, although the Governor is obliged to hold a meeting if two or more Councillors request one. Council meetings normally take place monthly.
Membership
At the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands after every general election, the Legislative Assembly elects three of its members to the Executive Council, of whom at least one must represent a StanleyStanley, Falkland Islands
Stanley is the capital and only true cityin the Falkland Islands. It is located on the isle of East Falkland, on a north-facing slope in one of the wettest parts of the islands. At the 2006 census, the city had a population of 2,115...
constituency and at least one must represent a Camp
Camp (Falkland Islands)
The camp is the term used in the Falkland Islands to refer to any part of the islands outside of the islands' only significant town, Stanley, and often the large RAF base at Mount Pleasant...
constituency. The term of office
Term of office
Term of office or term in office refers to the length of time a person serves in a particular office.-Prime Minister:In the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister has no term limits...
for an Executive Council member is twelve months, after which time the Legislative Assembly elects new members to the Council, although Councillors are permitted to seek re-election to the Council as often as they like. Membership of the Council can end early if a Councillor resigns, or if an elected member ceases to also be a member of the Legislative Assembly. An elected Councillor member can be forcibly removed from the Council by a resolution in the Legislative Assembly. Also, membership is revoked automatically if a Councillor is absent for three consecutive Council meetings without permission.
There are also two ex officio members of the Council, the Chief Executive
Chief Executive of the Falkland Islands
The Chief Executive of the Falklands Islands is the head of government of the Falkland Islands, as well as head of the public service responsible for the efficient and effective management of the Falkland Islands Government...
and the Director of Finance of the Falkland Islands, although they are barred from voting in the Council's meetings. The Commander of the British Forces in the South Atlantic Islands and the Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of the Falkland Islands are also permitted to attend Council meetings, although they are not members of the Council and cannot vote. The Governor is also present at meetings of the Executive Council, acting as chairperson.
Oath or affirmation
Under section 64 of the constitution, before taking part in any proceedings of the Executive Council, Councillors must take the oath or affirmation of secrecyOath of office
An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations...
. The wording is specified in Annex B to the Constitution: