I met the leaders of every local authority in Wales over the summer. Building on those discussions, I recently set out an emerging way forward for local government reform. Over the autumn I will continue to engage local government and other stakeholders to develop that detail of the approach.

I chaired the first meeting of the European advisory group on 28 September. A written statement including a summary note of this meeting has been provided to the Assembly.

Plans to repeal aspects of the Trade Union Act 2016 were included in the First Minister’s legislative programme statement and a Bill to do so will be brought forward early in the New Year.

The Welsh Revenue Authority is being established as a non-ministerial department that will be staffed by civil servants. The nature of its work will, of necessity, require a relatively specialist workforce in key aspects of the authority’s responsibilities, including tax administration, finance, legal, information and communications technology, and data analysis.

The Welsh treasury has in place the structures to manage effectively our public resources, including our new tax and borrowing powers. Recruitment of a chair for the Welsh Revenue Authority is about to take place.

My immediate priorities are extending and reviewing small business rates relief and introducing transitional relief. I will shortly bring forward legislation to deliver the schemes for 2017 18. After that, I will explore opportunities to deliver administrative improvements to the system to make it more effective for government and ratepayers.