Special Advisers: register of interests

Special advisers are required to ensure that no conflict arises, or could be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise.

Interests must be declared to the Head of Cabinet Division as part of the appointment process. The personal information which special advisers disclose is treated in confidence. All special advisers have submitted a completed declaration of interests form, including nil returns in instances where there was no actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest. Where relevant to the role, and to help manage a perception of conflict or to explain how a conflict is being managed, interests will be published on an annual basis.

The Head of Cabinet Division has considered these returns and deemed that the following relevant interests should be made public.

Register entry

• Trustee of Peak Cymru. Ms Dickins is recused from involvement in matters relating to the work or funding of the Trust should they arise.
• Family ownership of a sheep farm in South Wales. Ms Dickins is recused from involvement in matters relating to the development of agriculture policy.
• Partner is Director of Miller Research UK Ltd. Ms Dickins is recused from any involvement with matters relating to her partner’s business or its clients should they arise.
• Partner is Vice Chair of Homemakers recycling charity. Ms Dickins is recused from any involvement with matters relating to the charity should they arise.
• Partner is a Board member of Abergavenny Food Festival. Ms Dickins is recused from any involvement with matters relating to the charity should they arise.
• Community Councillor for Skenfrith Ward. This role is to be undertaken in line with the requirements of the SpAd Code of Conduct.
• Family member is Associate Director of Portland Communications. Ms Dickins is recused from any involvement with matters relating to Portland Communications or its clients should they arise.
• Family member works for Leukaemia UK. Ms Dickins is recused from any matters involving Leukaemia UK should they arise.

Register entry

• Member of the Ramblers. Ms Brindley is recused from involvement in matters relating to the work or funding of the association should they arise.

Register entry

• Family member works for the National Trust. Ms Davies will declare an interest and recuse herself from matters in the specific area of her family members work for the National Trust as required.
• Family member works for the Church in Wales. Ms Davies will declare an interest where the need arises and then take the appropriate action to recuse herself should that be required.

Register entry

• No relevant interests to publish.

Register entry

• Seconded from Citizens Advice. Mr Young will declare an interest and take action to recuse himself from all matters relating to the organisation while employed as a Special Adviser.
• Former Member of Samaritans Cymru Nation Board and Samaritans Strategic Advisory Board. Mr Young will declare an interest and take action to recuse himself from matters relating to the organisation if required.
• Director of Clear Red Campaigns Ltd. Company is not currently trading and Mr Young will not undertake any business activity for the company or receive any income while employed as a Special Adviser.

Register entry

• No relevant interests to publish.

Special Advisors are entitled to hold trade union membership in a personal capacity, but care must be taken to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest with their portfolio roles. SpAds are therefore required to consider the need to declare an interest and recuse themselves, where deemed necessary, from discussions with their Trade Union which relate to Welsh Government policy in their area.