4. 5. Statement: Park Homes Commission Rate — Next Steps

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:19 pm on 21 March 2017.

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Photo of Lee Waters Lee Waters Labour 3:19, 21 March 2017

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. I attended, with other Members, the lobby lunchtime of park home residents and recognise their anxiety, as many residents are on low incomes, have retired, that they would like action on these charges, and I strongly welcome your suggestion that you are minded to either reduce or remove the charge. Clearly, a balanced judgment needs to be made, and I strongly support the suggestion that, where the charge is reduced and that does make the business unviable, that the Government takes an active approach in allowing a co-operative solution to come forward—not simply being willing to be open to it, but providing the finance and the support to make that a viable option for smaller sites. Of course, not all sites are smaller sites—I recognise the problem you have with the evidence base—many are part of larger corporate concerns, who would be able to absorb the charge. My question, Cabinet Secretary, is: will you be making sure in your consideration that any other opportunities to increase other charges were the commission to be reduced would be looked at and headed off at the pass?