Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance – in the Senedd at 1:54 pm on 14 November 2018.

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Photo of Nick Ramsay Nick Ramsay Conservative 1:54, 14 November 2018

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. I could, of course, have asked you about support for small businesses, and we know that there was around £25 million as a result of the UK budget—that, across the border in England, money is being used to reduce business rates for businesses with a rateable value of up to £50,000 by a third. And I'll keep that one for another day. [Interruption.] But you may well—[Interruption.] I'm trying to establish whether or not you agree with the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services, because he certainly has changed his tune somewhat on the issue of reserves. Last year he said that he would always hesitate before he would seek to impose upon local government. Now he's stated, in his written statement, that local authorities with high levels of reserves to their spending should review the purposes for which these are held, and that the purposes for holding the reserves, particularly where they are increasing, should be communicated clearly. So, that's not just me saying that, or this side of the Chamber; that's your colleague, the Cabinet Secretary for public services. So, isn't it fair to say, Cabinet Secretary, that, in light of potentially large council tax increases in some local authorities, council tax payers will be wondering why there is so much held in reserve, and, if this issue was sorted out, then—yes, it is a small cake at the moment, and you're right, there have been difficult challenges for local government, but perhaps if some of this money was used then there wouldn't be such a burden on other areas.