Section 7, The Parliament Act, 2023

(1) The Commission may, for the discharge of itsfunctions, appoint one or more committees to perform such functions as the Commission may determine including - (a) Audit and Risk Management Committee which shall comprise 5 members and non-members with special expertise in risk management, accounting, and audit and responsible to - (i) review departmental and institutional risk management plans; (ii) review audit plans of the Internal Auditor; (iii) sign off on the internal audit report before submission to the Commission; (iv) ensure that the recommendation of the external audit report of Parliament are fully implemented; Allowances of Members of Committees of 37. Without prejudice to the provisions of Section 53 of this Act, the Budget Office in the discharge of the specialised nature of its functions, shall not be subject to the interferance of any person. 38. The report of the Parlimentary Budget office shall be–. i laid before Parliament by the Leader of Government Business or any other appropriate committee chair; or ii. presented to specific committees or Members of Parliament where necessary; iii. published on the parliamentary website. 39. The Parlimentary Service Commission shall appoint the Director of the Budget Office who shall be specialised in Audit, Accountancy, Public Financial Management, Public Policy or Macro– Economics. 40. The Parliamentary Service commission shall appoint the Deputy Director of the Budget Office who shall be specialised in Audit, Accountancy, Public Financial Management, Public Policy or Macro– Economics. 41. The Parliamentary Service Commission shall appoint other officers and staff of the Budget Office who shall be knowledgeable in Audit, Accountancy, Public Financial Management, Public Policy or Macro-Economics, for the effective and efficient performance of the Budget Office. 42. (1) All Ministries, Departments and Agencies shall cooperate with the Budget Office as required. (2) A person or institution who– Autonomy of the Parliament ary Budget Office Budget Office Reports. Director of the Budget Office. Other officers and staff of the Budget Office. Director of the Budget Office. Co-operation. (v) monitor responses to Audit Management Letters; (vi) review strategic risks facing the Commission; and (vii) update the Commission of the work of the Committee; (b) Finance and Planning Sub-Committee which shall comprise the Chairman, Finance Committee as Chairman and such other Commissioners and staff as the Commission may determine and responsible to - (i) advise on the re-allocation of funds to meet critical priorities or emergencies that enhance the operation of (ii) review the financial, procurement, disposal, and asset-related policies of (iii) review the annual financial reports of Parliament.; (vi) recommend to the Commission, the type of accounting best practices and standards appropriate to benchmark financial reporting of Parliament; and (v) review Parliament of Sierra Leone financial authority delegation framework. iv. review and recommend to relevant Committees of Parliament the findings on budget proposals and economic forecasts; including financial risks posed by Government policies and activities to guide Parliament; v. undertake money bills determination and costing; vi. propose where necessary an alternative fiscal framework in respect of any financial year; vii. support Committees and Members of Parliaments in the national budget process in enhancing the financial autonomy of Parliament and serves as technical lead in the preparation of the parliamentary budget; viii. produce reports on the implementation of the state budget using data from the Ministry of Finance and other sources; ix. simplifying financial proposals, policies, bills and other related documents for the easy understanding of Members of Parliament and Committees; x. undertake any other work deemed necessary by the Director to support the achievement of the mandate of the Budget Office. (c) Corporate Planning Sub-Committee which shall comprise Commissioners and the Director-General of Parliament and independent and competent individuals with special expertise in strategic planning and responsible to - (i) develop corporate plans including, Strategic Plan, Operational Plans, Departmental Plans, Risk Management Plans, Monitoring and Evaluation and Performance Plans, and review inputs in the development process of these plans to ensure they remain fit for purpose and able to address the issues facing the institution; (ii) advise on resource alignment to ensure corporate plans are implemented and monitored; (iii) attend parliamentary reviews and provide inputs to add value to the process; and (iv) receive inputs and quarterly status updates from the Clerk of Parliament on the implementation and monitoring of the corporate plans of Parliament. (d) Policy Planning Sub-Committee which shall comprise 2 Commissioners and such other members of staff as the Commission may determine and responsible to - 33. The Office of the Law Clerk shall publish an annual report at the close of every Parliamentary Session. 34. (1) The Parliamentary Service Commission shall appoint the Law Clerk, Deputy Law Clerk and such other staff as may be required by the Office. 35. A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Law Clerk unless he– i. is a Lawyer and ii. is qualified to practice law in Sierra Leone. 36. (1) There shall be estalished the Parliamentary Budget Office by the Parliamentary Service Commission as provided for in Section 30 of this Act with the following functionsi. assist Parliament in providing effective oversight over fiscal policy measures on the economy with the principal aim of improving the quality of debates and laws enacted; ii. provide professional services in respect of budget, finance and economic information to Parliamentary committees and Members of Parliament and engage them on same when necessary; iii. prepare reports on budgetary projections, economic forecasts, and other specific subjects relevant to Parliament and make proposals to Committees of Parliament responsible for budgetary matters; Office of the Law Clerk Report. The Law Clerk, Deputy and other Staff. Qualification of the law Clerk and Deputy. the budget office. (i) review the manpower planning of Parliament and ensure appropriate staff is available to support the work of (ii) receive feedback on policy implementation and provide advisory support for reviewing and or developing new policies to ensure effective staff performance; (iii) provide support to administrative committee on complaints and disciplinary issues; and (iv) receive quarterly update from the Clerk of Parliament on the management and status of the Parliament payroll ensuring transparency and fairness in the management of the payroll. (2) A Committee under subsection (1), shall submit a report of its proceedings to the Commission at such time as the Commission may determine. PART III –LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE OF PARLIAMENT