First Minister for Wales

The First Minister (Welsh: 'Prif Weinidog') is the leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, Wales' devolved administration, which was established in 1999. When initially set up under the Government of Wales Act 1998, the title was known as First Secretary (in Welsh Prif Ysgrifennydd), as Wales was given a less powerful assembly and executive than Northern Ireland and Scotland. This was also attributed to the fact that the Welsh term for First Minister, Prif Weinidog, also translates as Prime Minister, so a different title was chosen to avoid confusion with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The official office of the First Minister is in Crickhowell House and the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, however, an office is also kept at the Welsh Assembly Government building in Cathays Park.

Change of executive functions

Under the arrangements in the Government of Wales Act, 1998, executive functions are conferred on the National Assembly for Wales and then separately delegated to the First Minister and to other Cabinet Ministers and staff as appropriate. Until the Government of Wales Act 2006 these were delegated powers of the UK government. Since that Act came into force in May 2007 however the First Minister will be appointed by the Crown and will represent the Crown in Wales. Whilst this will have little practical difference it is a huge symbolic shift as for the first time in centuries the head of government in Wales will be appointed by the Crown on the advice of the elected representatives of the Welsh people. This makes Wales equal in status to Scotland and Northern Ireland within the devolved structures of the UK, although it still does not yet make its own Acts of Parliament.

This change of title from First Secretary to First Minister, occurred after the Welsh Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government with Labour in the Welsh Assembly in October 2000. The Government of Wales Bill (2006) allowed for the post to be officially known as the First Minister and also made the First Minister, Keeper of the Welsh Seal.

The First Minister will subsequently appoint the Welsh Ministers, Deputy Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General for Wales (collectively known as the Welsh Assembly Government), with the approval of Her Majesty.

Following separation between the legislative and the executive on the enactment of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (upon appointment of the First Minister, May 25, 2007), the Welsh Ministers will exercise functions in their own right and further transfers of executive functions from the UK Government will be made directly to the Welsh Ministers (with their consent) by an Order in Council approved by Parliament.

Role of the First Minister

The First Minister is Accountable/Responsible for:

• Exercise of functions by the Cabinet of the Welsh Assembly Government.
• Policy development and coordination of policy.
• The relationships with the rest of the United Kingdom, Europe and Wales Abroad.
• Staffing/Civil Service

Official residence

As yet, the First Minister for Wales does not possess an official residence as his/her counterpart does in Scotland and the United Kingdom (UK).

Department of the First Minister

The Department of the First Minister provides day-to-day support to the Assembly’s First Minister and Cabinet. It also looks after the Welsh Assembly Government’s international interests and responsibilities. It is staffed by about 100 people, whose functions are outlined below:

First Minister’s (Private) Office

Provides secretarial and administrative support to the First Minister. Its main responsibilities are to:

• manage the flow of policy advice to the First Minister
• communicate the First Minister’s decisions to officials
• ensure the First Minister is kept appropriately informed of developments in other portfolio areas
• manage the First Minister’s diary and correspondence
• commission briefings
• accompany the First Minister at meetings and on visits

Its staff also includes seven special advisers, each specialising in a specific policy area.

Ministerial Services Division

The Ministerial Services Division supports the Assembly’s Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers who assist them. Most MSD staff work in Ministers’ Private Office Teams, which include a Senior Private Secretary, Private Secretary, Assistant Private Secretary, Diary Secretary, Correspondence Clerk, and administrative support personnel. Their main responsibilities are to:

• manage the flow of policy advice to Ministers
• communicate Ministers’ decisions to officials
• manage Ministers’ diaries and correspondence
• commission briefings
• accompany Ministers at meetings and on visits

Cabinet Secretariat

The Cabinet Secretariat assists and advises the Cabinet when they meet collectively and supports the six Cabinet sub-committees.

The divisions’ Corporate Unit supports in administrative areas that include finance, human resources, and training. It also manages the Ministerial car service.

European and External Affairs Division

Advises and supports the Assembly in all its work with the European Union. It also works internationally on the Assembly’s behalf in the following areas:

• Public diplomacy issues and international relations – liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, providing diplomatic advice, and advancing Wales’s interests internationally.
• Promotional activity – presenting and maintaining a positive and consistent image of Wales as a place to live, work, study, visit, and do business.
• Overseas events – organising high-profile international events to showcase what Wales has to offer.
• Inward visits – arranging visits to Wales by overseas diplomats, politicians, and VIPs.

Strategic Policy Division

Special Advisers

The Welsh Assembly Government is advised by a team of Special Advisers, working for the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Each special adviser has his or her own responsibilities over various policy areas.

List of First Secretaries

List of First Ministers

List of Deputy First Ministers

External links

The Office of the First Minister, Welsh Assembly Government

Sources

• Dates are from World Statesmen and various BBC News Online articles from 1999 to 2003.cy:Prif Weinidog Cymru

pl:Pierwsi ministrowie Walii