Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:48 pm on 29 April 2020.
Minister, I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear I've had lots of positive feedback from Cynon Valley businesses about the speed and efficiency of Rhondda Cynon Taf's application of the rate relief element of the Welsh Government business support. But having said that, I am concerned that some businesses are being—[Inaudible.]—access that support. What dialogue has taken place with partners in local government about the application of their powers to apply hardship or discretionary rate relief more generally? And, secondly, although the coronavirus crisis has led to the suspension of normal life in very many ways, my constituency postbag continues to contain a significant element of casework from tenants of registered social landlords, just as it always did before the pandemic. I note your earlier comments about care and repair, but aside from that, and with many RSLs either furloughing staff or seconding them to local authority hubs, what work is being done to ensure that RSLs still have the ability and the capacity to meet their tenants' essential needs?