Cabinet handbook - Section 1: Holding ministerial office

1.1 In the performance of your duties, ministers are expected to behave according to the highest standards of constitutional and personal conduct. You are expected to observe the Seven Principles of Public Life and the principles of Ministerial Conduct.

1.2 The Ministerial Code issued by the First Minister provides guidance to ministers on how they should act and arrange their affairs to uphold these standards. It applies to all ministers, the Counsel General and deputy ministers. You are required to formally agree to abide by the code when taking up a Cabinet post and your agreement to do so will be published.

1.3 Part 1 of the code provides guidance on the ethics governing ministerial responsibilities, relationships and interests, whilst Part 2 provides procedural guidance on different aspects of the ministerial role. The Ministerial Code can, therefore, be regarded as a ministerial guidebook to fulfilling official duties. It should be read in conjunction with the Welsh Government Civil Service Code which sets out the behaviour expected of Civil Service staff working to the Welsh Government. The Civil Service Code can be found here.

1.4 The latest version of the Ministerial Code is available here.

1.5 You are personally responsible for deciding how to act and conduct yourself in the light of the code. It is not the role of the Permanent Secretary or other officials to enforce the code. However, you can expect the civil servants who advise you to be aware of this code and to use their best endeavours to draw to your attention any potential conflicts which they have identified. In addition, your private office or other officials are available to advise you if there are concerns about how the code might apply in particular circumstances. The Permanent Secretary is responsible for supporting you with the management of your private interests whilst in office, as detailed in section 5 of the code.

1.6 The Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards assists the First Minister in relation to the Ministerial Code, including in the investigation of complaints that the code has been breached. Where an investigation is undertaken, this will be conducted independently of government and a report provided to the First Minister. The terms of reference for the investigation, as well as the report and any decision by the First Minister on action to be taken, will be published.

1.7 The Independent Adviser may also, at the request of the First Minister, provide comment and advise upon the declarations of interest made by ministers and is responsible for providing advice in relation to the business appointment rules that apply when ministers leave office.

1.8 Serving as a minister is stimulating and rewarding in many ways. However, ministerial posts are complex and carry important responsibilities. While your office will always do their best to help you organise your duties efficiently there inevitably will be, from time to time, competing pressures. The rhythm of political life demands that well-laid plans can sometimes be upset at very short notice, and this can, of course, be frustrating.

1.9 Ministers are encouraged to give attention and priority to their well-being. You should work with your office to develop a reasonable balance between work and life outside work. Downtime is as important as hard work, and you should try to protect it when you can. Time with family and friends is important for well-being.

1.10 It is important that you allow enough time to prepare for your commitments in the Senedd and key meetings and this should be built into your daily schedule. Agree your diary in advance with your office and wherever possible try to stick with your schedule; slippage can exacerbate a sense of lost control. Equally, you will need to show flexibility – a minister’s life has inherent unpredictability and failure to recognise this will also lead to frustration.

1.11 Stress and mental illness can strike anyone in any walk of life and at any time. If you are worried or experience any signals which cause you concern it is important that you seek help. As well as talking to medical practitioners, family and friends, there is a range of support which ministers can access via Senedd Commission and Welsh Government resources.