Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government – in the Senedd at 2:13 pm on 3 May 2017.
Well, thank you very much for that supplementary question, and of course, I am aware of the things that people in the sector are saying. My colleague Lesley Griffiths has met with the task and finish group on hydro energy to discuss the report on measures to support the hydro energy industry in Wales, and I know that she will be holding a further meeting with that group. In the interim, both her officers and my officers will continue to collaborate with representatives of the community hydro power schemes to assess the effects of the 2017 revaluation by the Valuation Office Agency. Of course, I’ve already said, Deputy Presiding Officer, that we are going to prepare a new scheme for rate relief for small business from the year 2018 onwards. I am happy, as part of this continued scheme, to consider the case for specific assistance and support for some projects, including the community energy projects and community hydro projects. This will also include an assessment of the situation in Scotland.