Local Government Funding

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:01 pm on 6 March 2019.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 2:01, 6 March 2019

Thank you very much, and I know that you raised this particular issue in the Chamber with me a week or so ago, and I've certainly had some further opportunity to explore the issue further. I think that what we have to remember is that all non-domestic rates revenue received in Wales is distributed to local authorities to help fund local services. So, the vast majority of local authorities in Wales will receive more as a result of the payment of non-domestic rates than they see paid out within their own areas. Providing rates relief or exemptions to councils or other public bodies could distort competition and markets, giving publicly run facilities an unfair advantage over the privately run ones, and that could have some state-aid implications, as I've been told. But, obviously, I know that this is an area of particular interest to you; I'd be more than happy to continue that conversation.