8. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on business rates relating to community energy projects? OAQ(5)0117(FLG)[W]

Thank you very much for the question. A range of schemes exist to help small businesses with their non-domestic rates. More than £210 million of relief is being provided in 2017-18. These schemes are open to all eligible businesses that meet the criteria, including community energy projects.

You’ll be aware that the community hydro sector has been very badly affected as business rates are revaluated. Over 92 per cent of hydro schemes in Wales face a huge increase, up to 900 per cent. Your manifesto for 2016 noted your party’s support to community energy schemes. Can you commit to offer a generous rate relief scheme to support community energy projects in Wales as happens in Scotland? This would be of great assistance and an opportunity for your Government to support the sector in actions as well as in words.

Well, thank you very much for that supplementary question, and of course, I am aware of the things that people in the sector are saying. My colleague Lesley Griffiths has met with the task and finish group on hydro energy to discuss the report on measures to support the hydro energy industry in Wales, and I know that she will be holding a further meeting with that group. In the interim, both her officers and my officers will continue to collaborate with representatives of the community hydro power schemes to assess the effects of the 2017 revaluation by the Valuation Office Agency. Of course, I’ve already said, Deputy Presiding Officer, that we are going to prepare a new scheme for rate relief for small business from the year 2018 onwards. I am happy, as part of this continued scheme, to consider the case for specific assistance and support for some projects, including the community energy projects and community hydro projects. This will also include an assessment of the situation in Scotland.

Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary.