National Assembly for Wales

Valuation methodology is the responsibility of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).  As part of non-domestic rates revaluations, the VOA collects evidence from all sectors to inform the valuation process.  This information is essential in ensuring the revaluation process is robust and considers all areas of the non-domestic rates tax-base.  The Welsh Government will evaluate the impact of the revaluation exercise across the whole of the tax‑base prior to its implementation on 1 April 2023. 

The Non-Domestic Rating (Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Orders set out the criteria for a self-catering property to be classified as non-domestic for local taxation purposes.  The criteria include the requirement that a property must be let for at least 70 days in a 12-month period for it to be classified as self‑catering accommodation and listed as non-domestic. 

The criteria were determined following consultation and reflect the differing views of respondents, including those who supported lower thresholds and those who supported higher ones.  The thresholds seek to strike a balance between the economic benefits of tourism and the impact of self-catering accommodation on local communities and the availability of affordable housing.  The criteria take account of the fact that conditions will vary from year to year and that the thresholds might be more challenging to meet in some years than others.

The Welsh Government is responsible for managing the Welsh Public Library Standards (WPLS) to fulfil Ministerial statutory duties in relation to the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act to ensure that a comprehensive and efficient library service is provided by local authorities. 

The figures provided by local authorities through the WPLS indicate that the number of complete public library closures between 2015 and 2020 was 14:

These figures represent libraries open 10+ hours per week and do not represent the relocation of a library to a community hub, which may have occurred in some instances.

The majority of the Welsh Government’s financial support for public libraries is distributed through the local government core settlement (consisting of revenue support grant and non-domestic rates).  Amounts are determined annually and in advance of each new financial year as part of the Local Government Financial Settlement.

In response to Covid-19, additional funding of more than £1.5m was provided during 2020-21 to public libraries from the Welsh Government’s Cultural Resilience Fund and the Cultural Recovery Fund.

In addition to the core funding to local authorities, public libraries in Wales will also benefit from the financial support provided by the Welsh Government to the National Digital Library Service, Library Management System for Wales, the inter-library loan schemes across Wales, the Summer Reading Challenge, and the Reading Well Scheme.

Financial support is also available to public libraries through the Capital Transformation Grant Scheme which supports local museums, archives and libraries to revitalise facilities with a particular focus on widening access, partnership working and developing sustainable services. Public libraries received £539,000 from this Scheme during 2020-21.

The Welsh Government does not hold this information.  Monitoring of funding accessed through the Economic Resilience Fund will be undertaken 12 months following receipt by businesses.

The Welsh Government has committed over £2.5bn in business support funding throughout the course of the pandemic to support eligible businesses impacted by coronavirus restrictions. The Development Bank of Wales (DBW) operates a broad portfolio of funds which businesses may seek to access. DBW consider applications on a case by case basis and further details, including eligibility criteria, can be found online or by contacting the DBW directly.

The development will be a state of the art laundry facility that will serve all the main hospitals in North Wales.

NHS Wales will be the occupiers of the unit and current indications are that they would wish development to be completed by August 2023.

The development will be a state of the art laundry facility that will serve all the main hospitals in North Wales.

NHS Wales will be the occupiers of the unit and current indications are that they would wish development to be completed by August 2023. 

The development will be a state of the art laundry facility that will serve all the main hospitals in North Wales.

NHS Wales will be the occupiers of the unit and current indications are that they would wish development to be completed by August 2023. 

A key priority for the Valleys Taskforce from the outset was to explore the concept of a Valleys Regional Park (VRP), to help local communities build on their many natural assets, including the potential for tourism.

£8m was committed for 12 discovery gateway sites and two co-working spaces. Discovery Gateways are exemplar flagship sites that showcase the Valleys. They encourage a greater interest in and knowledge of the Valleys natural and cultural heritage and pan-Valleys attractions amongst visitors and local people. They also enhance sustainable tourism providing an economic boost. This results in a positive narrative of the Valleys to help change negative internal and external perceptions.

Our strategic plan outlines our aim to work closely with our regional partners on focused local destination development and place-making to make key destinations more attractive to tourists that will also benefit local communities.

Investment in the Zip World Tower on the site of the former colliery is an exceptional Valleys development, and is an exemplar in terms of regeneration within an industrial setting.  Strategic and destination building projects such as this also act as a catalyst to further upgrading and developments associated with other attractions and accommodation projects in the region, as well as adding to a growing Valleys offer including the likes of Bike Parc Wales, The Royal Mint, and Penderyn.

Visit Wales is working through the summer to ensure that visitors discover new places (away from the popular tourism honey-pots).  We will continue to promote key attractions and destinations in the Valleys through our website and social media activity. Interestingly, as part of the current Addo campaign, 60 per cent of the locations featured within the Visit Wales content has been the Valleys.  This content has been used extensively on digital, video on demand and TV. 

In July and August 2020 my officials responded to a coordinated letter campaign from residents at Victoria Wharf, who raised Building Safety concerns and associated issues as a result, such as increased services charges.

Following this, on 17 September 2020, my officials attended a meeting with representatives from the Victoria Wharf Residents Association (RA). Representatives from the Shared Regulatory Service (covering Cardiff Vale and Bridgend councils) and the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service also attended this meeting.

On 5 November 2020, I attended a virtual meeting, hosted by my colleague Vaughan Gething, with the RA of Victoria Wharf. This was also attended by Stephen Doughty MP and Grangetown councillors.

Our proposed policy regarding the implementation of an all-in Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers is set out in the consultation which closed on 4 June. We are currently also running a pilot Deposit Return Scheme with Conwy County Borough Council to explore how digital technology can be deployed to make the scheme more convenient for people to use, whilst potentially reducing the costs and carbon impact.v

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has recently completed its phase three works at the Tylorstown coal tip site.

These phases of work have included the immediate response to the incident, reinstating the river to its original line and level, the reinstatement of appropriate drainage infrastructure, the addressing of scouring on the tip and remediation of 60,000 tonnes of landslip material from the valley bottom.

Phase four works will involve the removal of 150,000 tonnes of the residual spoil material from the hillside above the river and will start next year with design and scoping work carried out this year, including engagement with the local community. Some interim works will take place later this summer and are currently out to tender and will involve further drainage and stabilisation of the spoil tip to enable next year’s works to be undertaken safely.

Wattstown West is a private coal tip which has experienced some scouring and a small amount of material has slipped to the foot of the tip. While the tip is subject to ongoing slippage, this is largely a cosmetic issue but creates public concern due to its prominence in the landscape. With the permission of the landowner, the Coal Authority and the local authority are regularly on site to monitor the tip. A specialist civil engineering contractor is developing design options with the aim of works starting as soon as practicable.

On the 15^th June I made a statement setting out how the Welsh Government is supporting people with their recovery from COVID-19.  Please see the link below for the full statement.

https://gov.wales/oral-statement-services-supporting-people-recover-covid-19

I have announced a £5 million investment to develop primary and community services to support those with long COVID, as well as other individuals who have additional needs as a result of the impacts of the pandemic. A proportion of the investment will be available to Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board to support development of services, building on their existing offer as part of the Adferiad programme. It is the responsibility for each health board to provide services to meet the needs of their local populations. 

We have been engaging regularly with health boards as they have developed services in response to long COVID. Our recent discussions with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board highlighted provision in place such as the Covid Rehab hub, which was established in October 2020. The service fosters a multi-disciplinary, holistic approach for those discharged from hospital or experiencing long COVID. The health board has GP referral pathways in place and indicated they are actively engaging with patients as part of service development.

I can confirm no payments have been made to Innova/Sharp by the Welsh Government in relation to the production of COVID-19 lateral flow tests at the site in Rhymney.

The procurement of lateral flow tests is led and managed by the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Services under the UK Testing Programme from which Wales receives a population share.

Lateral flow tests procured by the UK Government and allocated to Wales go through a rigorous, laboratory-based evaluation by a joint Public Health England, Porton Down and University of Oxford team. Findings are reported to inform potential purchasing and deployment decisions.

Further validation information is available at: Protocol for evaluation of rapid diagnostic assays for specific SARS-CoV-2 antigens (lateral flow devices) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

I can confirm no payments have been made to Innova/Sharp by the Welsh Government in relation to the production of COVID-19 lateral flow tests at the site in Rhymney.

The procurement of lateral flow tests is led and managed by the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Services under the UK Testing Programme from which Wales receives a population share.

Lateral flow tests procured by the UK Government and allocated to Wales go through a rigorous, laboratory-based evaluation by a joint Public Health England, Porton Down and University of Oxford team. Findings are reported to inform potential purchasing and deployment decisions.

Further validation information is available at: Protocol for evaluation of rapid diagnostic assays for specific SARS-CoV-2 antigens (lateral flow devices) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

I can confirm no payments have been made to Innova/Sharp by the Welsh Government in relation to the production of COVID-19 lateral flow tests at the site in Rhymney.

The procurement of lateral flow tests is led and managed by the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Services under the UK Testing Programme from which Wales receives a population share.

Lateral flow tests procured by the UK Government and allocated to Wales go through a rigorous, laboratory-based evaluation by a joint Public Health England, Porton Down and University of Oxford team. Findings are reported to inform potential purchasing and deployment decisions.

Further validation information is available at: Protocol for evaluation of rapid diagnostic assays for specific SARS-CoV-2 antigens (lateral flow devices) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)