6. Decisions of the Council shall be by consensus. ARTICLE 12 COMMISSIONS 1. Commissions shall be constituted to guide and coordinate co-operation and integration policies and programmes in designated sectoral areas. 2. The composition, powers, functions, procedures and other matters related to each Commission shall be prescribed by an appropriate protocol approved by the Summit. 3. The Commissions shall work closely with the Secretariat. 4. Commissions shall be responsible and report to the Council. 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, preferably from a ministry responsible for economic planning or finance. 2. The Standing Committee shall be a technical advisory committee to the Council. 3. The Standing Committee shall be responsible and report to the Council. 4. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee shall be appointed from the Member States holding the Chairmanship and the Vice-Chairmanship, respectively, of the Council. 5. The Standing Committee shall meet at least once a year. 6. Decisions of the Standing Committee shall be by consensus. ARTICLE 14 THE SECRETARIAT 1. The Secretariat shall be the principal executive Institution of SADC, and shall be responsible for: a) strategic planning and management of the programmes of SADC; b) implementation of decisions of the Summit and of the Council; c) organisation and management of SADC meetings; d) financial and general administration; e) representation and promotion of SADC; and f) coordination and harmonisation of the policies and strategies of Member States. 3. The Secretariat shall be headed by the Executive Secretary. 4. The Secretariat shall have such other staff as may be determined by the Council from time to time.