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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate expresses concern over new rate relief scheme
March 4, 2007 1:36 PM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly candidate for Gower, Councillor Nick Tregoning, has expressed concern over the impact changes to the business rate relief scheme may have on small tourism businesses.
The new regulations exclude self-catering properties from gaining relief, and there is concern that this will have a negative impact on the many farmers who have historically been encouraged to diversify into this sector.
Councillor Tregoning said: "It appears the Assembly Government has made a serious error in these regulations, and forgotten about these important rural businesses. Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly members Mick Bates and Kirsty Williams are putting pressure upon Labour in the Assembly to re-open the consultation. If, as we all suspect, it is found to be a problem, the Welsh Liberal Democrats will be calling on the Assembly Government to amend the regulations and put matters right."
"I have real concerns for the impact this may have on family farms in the Gower constituency, who are trying to sustain themselves by providing a service to tourists. The Labour Assembly Government has not been good to farmers - they cannot afford to miss out again."
Ends/Diwedd
Notes:
• In December 2006, the Assembly voted to replace the existing rural
rate relief scheme with a scheme that would support small businesses across Wales, regardless of rurality. These changes will come into force on April 1st.
• Assembly Finance Minister Sue Essex issued a statement on the 27th
February announcing a new consultation to examine the potential effect of the changes on self-catering properties, which are excluded from the regulations, but which may have been eligible under the rural rate relief scheme in some areas. The full statement will be published on the Assembly Government website (www.wales.gov.uk), or can be provided on request.
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