SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (vi) legal affairs and judicial matters; (b) monitor and control the implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan in its area of competence; (c) provide policy advice to the Council; and (d) create such permanent or ad hoc subcommittees as may be necessary. 3. The Sectoral and Cluster Ministerial Committees shall, with respect to their responsibilities under paragraph 2 of this Article, have decision making powers to ensure rapid implementation of programmes approved by Council. 4. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Sectoral or Cluster Ministerial Committees shall be appointed from the Member States holding the Chairpersonship and Deputy Chairpersonship, respectively, of the Council. 5. The Sectoral and Cluster Ministerial Committees shall meet at least once a year. 6. The Sectoral and Cluster Ministerial Committees shall report and be responsible to the Council. 7. Notwithstanding paragraph 6, the Cluster for the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation shall report in accordance with the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation. 8. Decisions of the Sectoral and Cluster Ministerial Committees shall be taken by consensus. ARTICLE 13 THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF OFFICIALS 1. The Standing Committee shall consist of one permanent secretary or an official of equivalent rank from each Member State, from the Ministry that is the SADC National Contact Point 2. The Standing Committee shall be a technical advisory committee to the Council. 3. The Standing Committee shall process documentation from the Sectoral and Cluster Ministerial Committees to the Council. The Standing Committee shall report and be responsible to the Council. 4. 5. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee shall be appointed from the Member States holding the Chairpersonship and the Deputy Chairpersonship, respectively, of the Council. 6. The Standing Committee shall meet at least four times a year. 7. Decisions of the Standing Committee shall be taken by consensus. Consolidated text of the Treaty of the Southern African Development Community, as Amended - 12 -