Welcome and Introductions:

·         SR welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined that TG had submitted a Motion to annul The Non-Domestic Rating (Amendment of Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Order 2022.

·         SR highlighted that the motion to annul wasn’t part of the CPG, the CPG was to talk about exemptions and dispensations regarding the Order, and that the CPG welcomes cross-party support.

Potential consequences of The Non-Domestic Rating (Amendment of Definition of Domestic Property) (Wales) Order 2022:

·         SD welcomed the Welsh Government differentiating second homes and tourism, but outlined that many businesses won’t meet the 182-day rule.

·         SD stated that the Welsh Government had reached a conclusion, but hadn’t justified why it would be 182 days.

·         SD outlined that the Wales Tourism Alliance did offer a higher threshold than what was originally in place.

·         Regarding the Motion to Annul, TG said that we live in hope, and that the 182-day rule is misleading an flawed.

·         TG was keen to listen to thoughts and views of the CPG ahead of the Senedd debate.

·         AH was keen to clarify when the order will start, and whether it would be retrospective.

·         ZW outlined that SR had wrote to the Welsh Government about this, and that this letter and response would be circulated to members of the CPG.

·         SR read out the letter from the Minister, and discussed the contrasting messages from this.

·         AGW outlined that the Welsh Government won’t have the resources and capacity to monitor businesses, and this was just being pushed through with Plaid Cymru.

·         AH reiterated that a revaluation was going to be a massive piece of work.

·         SR asked about the industry’s discussions with Vaughan Gething.

·         GR stated that he’d asked the Welsh Government what the rush was, and that this Order doesn’t reflect the consultation. GR stated the Welsh Government should be reminded that they’re public servants, and that their jobs is to boost and support the industry, not destroy it.

·         SD outlined that the Welsh Government can’t ignore their consultation without reasoning.

·         AB stated that feedback he was receiving related to people’s well-being, and there was still confusion.

·         SR asked the CPG about exemptions and dispensations.

·         AH outlined a page of exemptions and dispensations to the CPG, in which the industry were calling for.

·         SR thanked AH for producing his exemptions and dispensations document, and asked if the Welsh Government were content with this.

·         SD and AH stated that the Welsh Government had a accepted a meeting with the industry to discuss this.

·         SD outlined that an appeals process was missing.

·         AB raised the flexibility between regions, and that 182 days across the whole of Wales didn’t make sense.

·         SR outlined that today’s motion was all about the motion to annul, and that dispensations and exemptions were to come after.

·         AH stated that many were now dealing with mental health problems and that businesses were selling up.

·         SD outlined that in the Welsh Government’s explanatory memorandum they had conflicting information.

·         SR stated that with the Summer recess coming up, the CPG needs a plan to hold the Welsh Government to account.

·         TG raised the possibility of meeting with those who had real life experiences of having to sell up.

·         DM outlined the unfairness regarding holiday lets that have planning restrictions having to meet the 182-day rule.

·         DM stated the 182-day rule was grossly unfair.

Conclusion and Action Points:

• With plenary starting, SR closed the meeting.
• SD thanked all those who attended and contributed.