3. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance: Tax Policy Work Plan 2018, including New Taxes

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:47 pm on 13 February 2018.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Vikki Howells Vikki Howells Labour 3:47, 13 February 2018

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement today. I think it's a really exciting announcement. Land banking is certainly an issue that is—very passionately expressed views on the doorsteps in Cynon Valley, and my first question in the Chamber when I was elected was actually about land banking.

My question focuses around the statement you made earlier, where you said that, in Ireland, they see this as a tool for dealing with urban dereliction, and that's certainly the way that it is viewed in my constituency, that land banking leads to urban dereliction. In fact, I hosted an event on access to community spaces for the Land Trust just a few weeks ago, and they highlighted the ways in which abandoned sites that have been left in a poor condition affect their local area. Some of the things they said are that that can contribute to mental and physical ill health, anti-social behaviour and community break-up for those who live around such sites.

My question to you, then, Cabinet Secretary, is: are these arguments that you yourself take on board, and are they arguments that you would seek to further as you develop the proposal and perhaps tie in to the future generations goals here in Wales?