Meetings

NDM8645 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:

Approves the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill.

Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill – as amended at Stage 3

The item started at 17.34

Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM8645 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:

Approves the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill.

Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill – as amended at Stage 3

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

The item started at 17.34

The amendments will be disposed of in the order which the sections and schedules to which they relate were set out in the motion under Standing Order 26.36 agreed by the Senedd on 2 July 2024.

The amendments have been grouped for the purposes of debate and the groupings will be debated as follows:

1. Duty to consult

3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17

2. Charitable rate relief

6, 7, 22, 23, 25

3. Non-domestic rating multipliers

9, 1

4. Regulation-making powers

11, 12, 15, 18, 27

5. Council tax: single person discount

14

6. Publication of notices

19

7. Council tax reform

2

8. Council tax increases

20, 26

9. Review on use of powers

21, 24

Supporting Documents

Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 2

Explanatory Memorandum, revised after Stage 2

Marshalled List of Amendments

Grouping of Amendments

The item started at 16.46

The amendments were disposed of in the order that the sections and schedules to which they relate were set out in the motion under Standing Order 26.36 agreed by the Senedd on 2 July 2024.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

Amendment 3 was not agreed

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 6:

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 7:

Amendment 7 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 8:

Amendment 8 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 9:

Amendment 9 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 10:

Amendment 10 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 11:

Amendment 11 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 12:

Amendment 12 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 13:

Amendment 13 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 14:

Amendment 14 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 15:

Amendment 15 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 16:

Amendment 16 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 17:

Amendment 17 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 18:

Amendment 18 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 19:

Amendment 19 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 20:

Amendment 20 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 21:

Amendment 21 was not agreed.

Amendment 22 was not moved.

As amendment 7 was not agreed, amendment 23 fell.

As amendment 21 was not agreed, amendment 24 fell.

Amendment 25 was not moved.

As amendment 20 was not agreed, amendment 26 fell.

A vote was taken on amendment 27:

Amendment 27 was not agreed.

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office.

NDM8625 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that Senedd Cymru in accordance with Standing Order 26.36: 

Agrees to dispose of sections and schedules to the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill at Stage 3 in the following order:

a) Sections 2-15;

b) Schedule 1;

c) Section 1;

d) Sections 17-21;

e) Section 16;

f) Sections 22-25;

g) Long title.

The item started at 16.46

NDM8625 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that Senedd Cymru in accordance with Standing Order 26.36: 

Agrees to dispose of sections and schedules to the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill at Stage 3 in the following order:

a) Sections 2-15;

b) Schedule 1;

c) Section 1;

d) Sections 17-21;

e) Section 16;

f) Sections 22-25;

g) Long title.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution & Cabinet Office

Documents relevant to Stage 2 proceedings will be available on the Bill page.

The Committee agreed on 22 May 2024, under Standing Order 26.21, that the order of consideration for Stage 2 proceedings would be:

Sections 2 – 15, Schedule 1, Section 1, Sections 17 – 21, Section 16, Sections 22 – 25 and the long title.

Marshalled List of Amendments

Grouping of Amendments

2.1 In accordance with Standing Order 26.21, the Committee disposed of the following amendments to the Bill:

Amendment 9 (Peter Fox MS) was withdrawn.

Amendment 10 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 11 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 12 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 13 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 14 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 15 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 16 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 17 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 18 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 19 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 44 (Luke Fletcher MS)

Amendment 20 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 1 (Rebecca Evans MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 21 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 22 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 23 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 24 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 5 (Rebecca Evans MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 6 (Rebecca Evans MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 7 (Rebecca Evans MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 8 (Rebecca Evans MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 25 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 26 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 27 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 28 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 29 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 30 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 31 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 32 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 33 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 2 (Rebecca Evans MS)

Amendment 3 (Rebecca Evans MS)

Amendment 34 (Peter Fox MS) was not moved.

Amendment 35 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 45 (Luke Fletcher MS) was withdrawn.

Amendment 36 (Peter Fox MS) was withdrawn.

Amendment 37 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 38 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 39 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 40 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 4 (Rebecca Evans MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 41 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 43 (Peter Fox MS)

Amendment 42 (Peter Fox MS)

7.1 The Committee agreed on 22 May 2024, under Standing Order 26.21, that the order of consideration for Stage 2 proceedings would be:

Sections 2 – 15, Schedule 1, Section 1, Sections 17 – 21, Section 16, Sections 22 – 25 and the long title.

2.20a The Committee noted the letter.

2.19a The Committee noted the letter.

2.18a The Committee noted the letter.

NDM8532 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that Senedd Cymru, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69, arising in consequence of the Bill.

The item started at 15.52

NDM8532 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that Senedd Cymru, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69, arising in consequence of the Bill.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8533 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that Senedd Cymru, in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill.

The Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were laid before the Senedd on 20 November 2023.

The report of the Local Government and Housing Committee on the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill was laid before the Senedd on 15 March 2024.

Supporting Documents

Government response to the report of the Local Government and Housing Committee

Report of the Finance Committee

Government response to the report of the Finance Committee

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

Government response to the report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

The item started at 15.52

NDM8533 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that Senedd Cymru, in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill.

The Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were laid before the Senedd on 20 November 2023.

The report of the Local Government and Housing Committee on the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill was laid before the Senedd on 15 March 2024.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office.

Supporting documents:

FIN(6)-07-24 P2 – Draft report

4.1 The Committee considered its draft report on the Financial implications of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill and agreed it with minor changes.

9.1 The Committee considered the draft report.

4.3a The Committee noted the letter.

The Committee considered and agreed its draft report on the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill, subject to minor changes.

Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government

Simon Tew – Bill Manager, Welsh Government

Ben Crudge - Head of Local Tax Policy, Welsh Government

Attached Documents:

Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

Research Service Brief

4.1 The Committee took evidence on the Local Finance Government Finance (Wales) Bill from Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government; Ben Crudge, Head of Local Tax Policy; and Simon Tew, Bill Manager.

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence and key issues.

Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government

Ben Crudge, Head of Local Tax Policy, Welsh Government

Simon Tew, Bill Manager, Welsh Government

Ruth Cornick, Lawyer, Legal Services, Welsh Government

Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

Statement of Policy Intent for Subordinate Legislation

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government

Ben Crudge, Head of Local Tax Policy, Welsh Government

Simon Tew, Bill Manager, Welsh Government

Ruth Cornick, Lawyer, Legal Services, Welsh Government

2.2 The Minister agreed to provide further information in relation to the secondary legislation-making powers in the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill

3.5a The Committee noted the letter.

The Committee considered its draft report and agreed to consider a revised draft at a future meeting.

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence.

Rachel Bowen, Director of Policy, Older People's Commissioner for Wales

Steffan Rhys, Audience and Content Director for Wales, Reach plc

Gavin Thompson, Regional Editor, Newsquest (Wales)

Rob Taylor, Wrexham.com

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Rachel Bowen, Director of Policy, Older People's Commissioner for Wales

Steffan Rhys, Audience and Content Director for Wales, Reach plc

Gavin Thompson, Regional Editor, Newsquest (Wales)

Rob Taylor, Wrexham.com

8.1 The Committee considered the evidence.

Llyr ap Gareth, FSB

Robin Osterley, Chief Executive, Charity Retail Association

Morgan Schondelmeier, Welsh Beer and Pub Association

5.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Llyr ap Gareth, FSB

Robin Osterley, Chief Executive, Charity Retail Association

Morgan Schondelmeier, Welsh Beer and Pub Association

Lisa Haywood, Finance Policy Officer, Welsh Local Government Association  

Matthew Phillips, Head of Service - Revenues & Benefits, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Welsh Local Government Association

Councillor Susan Morgan, Torfaen, Welsh Local Government Association

Councillor Robin Williams,Ynys Mon, Welsh Local Government Association

4.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Lisa Haywood, Finance Policy Officer, Welsh Local Government Association 

Matthew Phillips, Head of Service - Revenues & Benefits, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Welsh Local Government Association

Councillor Susan Morgan, Torfaen, Welsh Local Government Association

Councillor Robin Williams,Ynys Mon, Welsh Local Government Association

Jonathan Russell CB, Chief Executive Officer, Valuation Office Agency

Carolyn Bartlett  Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Valuation Office Agency

Carolyn Dawson, Chief Executive, Valuation Tribunal for Wales

3.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Jonathan Russell CB, Chief Executive Officer, Valuation Office Agency

Carolyn Bartlett  Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Valuation Office Agency

Carolyn Dawson, Chief Executive, Valuation Tribunal for Wales

Stuart Adam, Institute for Fiscal Studies

Matthew Evans, Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation

Lakshmi Narain, Chartered Institute of Taxation

2.1  The Committee received evidence from:

Stuart Adam, Institute for Fiscal Studies

Matthew Evans, Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation

Lakshmi Narain, Chartered Institute of Taxation

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government.

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence.

Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government

Debra Carter – Deputy Director, Local Government and Finance Reform, Welsh Government

Simon Tew – Bill Manager, Welsh Government

Ruth Cornick – Lawyer, Legal Services. Welsh Government

Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

Statement of Policy Intent for Subordinate Legislation

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government

Debra Carter – Deputy Director, Local Government and Finance Reform, Welsh Government

Simon Tew – Bill Manager, Welsh Government

Ruth Cornick – Lawyer, Legal Services. Welsh Government

2.2 The Minister agreed to share with the Committee the work carried out by Bangor University in relation to land value tax.

The Committee considered the evidence provided by the Minister for Finance and Local Government, and agreed to write to the Minister with supplementary questions.

Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government

Debra Carter – Deputy Director, Local Government and Finance Reform – Bill SRO

Simon Tew – Bill Manager

Ruth Cornick – Government Lawyer, Legal Services

Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

Statement of Policy Intent

The Committee received evidence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government.

Debra Carter, Deputy Director, Local Government Finance Division, Welsh Government

Simon Tew, Bill Manager, Local Government Finance Bill, Welsh Government

Ruth Cornick, Lawyer, Welsh Government

Chris Humphreys, Lawyer, Welsh Government

Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

Statement of Policy Intent for Subordinate Legislation

9.1 The Committee received a technical briefing from Welsh Government officials:

Debra Carter, Deputy Director, Local Government Finance Division

Simon Tew, Bill Manager, Local Government Finance Bill

Ruth Cornick, Lawyer

Chris Humphreys, Lawyer

Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

4.1 The Committee considered and agreed its approach to scrutiny.