Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:32 pm on 6 June 2017.
Leader of the house, may I ask for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government on loans and grants issued by local authorities in Wales for the refurbishment of properties and business properties in Wales? A constituent of mine was actually given £20,000 to improve his business property. He injected his own £9,000, so it cost him nearly £29,000 three years ago. After three years, the local council is insisting he pay the £20,000 back. If he doesn’t, they will take his property and repossess it. So, that is the sort of scenario businesses are facing, which is totally unacceptable, I think, for those businesses who want to improve in Wales. And we want to improve those in the most deprived areas in south-east Wales. Whilst I recognise the value of these grants and loans in upgrading properties, could we have statement on why local authorities can insist on or demand repayments of original loans in full after three years, and businesses are not been given much time to pay back over a much longer time? Now, they want the whole money with interest. So, could you please make a statement on this issue? Thank you.