30 (7) If a member of the Council dies or vacates the office before the expiration of the period for which the member has been appointed, another person may be appointed to fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the period for which the member was appointed. Chairperson of Council 5 15. (1) The chairperson of the Council is elected from the appointed members of the Council and holds office for the period or the unexpired portion of the period for which he or she has been appointed as member of the Council, unless the Council otherwise determines. (2) If the chairperson of the Council vacates the office as chairperson before the 10 expiration of the period for which he or she was appointed, another member of the Council must, subject to subsection (1), be elected as a chairperson of the Council from the appointed members of the Council. (3) If the chairperson of the Council is absent from a meeting of the Council or not able to preside at that meeting, the members present must elect one of their number to 15 preside at that meeting and that person may, during that meeting and until the chairperson resumes his or her functions, perform all those functions. Functions of Council 16. The functions of the Council are to— (a) advise the Minister on matters concerning heritage resources management; 20 (b) be responsible and accountable for the implementation of the functions, powers and duties of SAHRA; (c) advise and assist SAHRA in the performance of its functions, powers and duties; (d) promote the co-ordination of policy formulation and planning for the 25 management of the national estate at national and provincial levels; and (e) furnish the Minister with such information as the Minister may require. Meetings of Council 17. (1) The Council may meet as often as necessary, but at least twice a year. (2) A quorum for a meeting of the Council shall be a majority of its members. 30 (3) Any decision of the Council shall be taken by resolution of the majority of the members present at any meeting of the Council, and, in the event of an equality of votes on any matter, the person presiding at the meeting in question shall have a casting vote in addition to his or her deliberative vote as a member of the Council. Committees of Council 35 18. The Council may establish committees to assist it in the performance of its functions and, in addition to any members, it may appoint to such committees persons whom the Council considers competent or who possess specific skills and expertise. Reimbursement of expenses incurred by members of Council and committees 19. The Minister may, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, determine the 40 reimbursement of expenses incurred by members of the Council and any committees it may establish who are not in the full-time employ of the State. Employees of Council 20. (1) The Council must appoint a senior member of staff as chief executive officer, who must— 45 (a) be responsible for the management of the affairs of SAHRA and who must report on those affairs to the Council as the Council may require;