Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:16 pm on 7 December 2021.
I'm grateful to Ken Skates for raising these issues and giving me this opportunity to place on record my thanks and the Welsh Government's thanks to all 22 of our local authorities, who have done absolutely incredible work supporting communities through the pandemic, but then, as Ken Skates sets out, going beyond that in terms of the ambition that they have for their areas. Those great examples of the Wrexham Gateway project and the global centre for rail excellence show some further ways in which the Welsh Government can work with and support local government in their ambitions to create and develop economic well-being in their areas, and provide those sustainable, skilled, important jobs. I think our work goes far beyond the work that we've been doing over the course of the pandemic, important though that is. I think that we've got lots more to celebrate with local government as well. And then, finally, just to confirm that there will be no immediate changes as a result of today's statement. What I'm setting out is the direction of travel and a commitment to consult widely next year, before we firm up proposals as to what a fairer council tax system might look like in future.