The draft conclusions and minutes from each meeting are circulated to each member of Cabinet prior to the next Cabinet meeting, to enable them to be confirmed at that subsequent meeting.

The confirmation process does not normally allow Ministers to reopen the substantive discussion at the previous meeting or to introduce new information. The purpose is to confirm that the draft conclusion accurately reflects Cabinet’s decision and provides enough detail to allow implementation to commence. Only in exceptional circumstances will the actual decision be revised.

Consistent with the Secretary to the Cabinet’s role specified in the Constitution, the signed Cabinet conclusions are circulated within 48 hours after the next meeting where they are confirmed. These are the official record of Cabinet’s agreement. Relevant Ministries, departments and agencies shall commence implementation immediately, subject to any timetable included in the decisions themselves.