Cabinet handbook - Foreword

The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. The government consists of the First Minister, Welsh Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Counsel General (the Welsh Ministers and Deputy Ministers, respectively, are sometimes known as “Cabinet Secretaries” and “Ministers”). It is the role of Senedd Cymru to nominate a First Minister, usually the leader of the largest political party, for appointment by The King. The First Minister appoints Ministers and Deputy Ministers, with the agreement of The King. The Counsel General is appointed by The King, on the recommendation of the First Minister, but the recommendation for the appointment must be approved by the Senedd.

This Cabinet handbook is an introductory guide to the Welsh Government for incoming ministers, their private offices and those across government. It provides a preliminary overview of the key elements of support available to ministers, and the decision-making mechanisms within government.

The handbook introduces the Ministerial Code, what ministers can expect from their private office and their policy department. It also sets out the constitutional context in which the Welsh Government operates, including its relationship with the legislature, as well as the UK government and other devolved governments.

It also provides information on the main principles and procedures governing decision making made by ministers, including the role of Cabinet and the individual ministerial decision-making process. This handbook is designed to be an aide-memoire for ministers, as well as their special advisers, private offices, and other Welsh Government staff. This first published edition of the cabinet handbook remains true to its original purpose. It is primarily a guide for those working in government, recording the current position rather than driving change. It is not intended to be legally binding or to set issues in stone. The handbook records rules and practices but is not intended to be the source of any rule.

The handbook will evolve over time as government adapts to new challenges and the passage of new legislation and to play its role as a useful guide to the operations and procedures of government, it will need to be updated periodically to reflect such developments.