​Motions and Amendments for Debate on 11 October 2017

Motion tabled on 4 October 2017

Short debate

NDM6522 Dai Lloyd (South Wales West):

Protecting and developing regional centres of medical excellence.

NDM6524 Russell George (Montgomeryshire)

To propose thathe National Assembly for Wales:he National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee on its Inquiry into the Impact of Congestion on Bus Services which was laid in the Table Office on 28 July 2017.

Note: The response by the Welsh Government was laid on 4 October 2017.

NDM6525 David Rees (Aberavon)

To propose thathe National Assembly for Wales:he National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee on its Inquiry into the implications of Brexit for Welsh ports, which was laid in the Table Office on 4 August 2017

Note: The response by the Welsh Government was laid on 4 October 2017

NDM6526 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)

To propose thathe National Assembly for Wales:he National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that:

a) small businesses constitute the economic and social heart of the Welsh high street but that the current business rates regime significantly disadvantages retailers in small towns and cities;

b) business rates are inherently inequitable because they bear little, if any, relation to business profitability and they have a chilling effect on town centres by adding significant costs to the establishment of new businesses;

c) reducing the impact of business rates would help businesses survive the challenges posed by internet shopping and give a significant boost to the high street.

2. Resolves that:

a) as an interim measure, pending the replacement of business rates by a tax related to ability to pay, business premises with a rateable value below £15,000 should be exempt and the rates of business properties within the band of £15,000 - £50,000 are reduced by 20%;

b) Welsh local authorities should encourage local trade by offering at least 60 minutes free parking in their town centre car parks;

c) out-of-town shopping developments should bear a greater but reasonable share of the burden of business rates, and such rates should apply to their car parks, to help revive town centres.

Amendments tabled on 6 October 2017

To propose that the Assembly resolves to adopt the following amendments to motions:
 
NDM6526
 
1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):
 
Delete point 2 and replace with:

Welcomes the full devolution of business rates to the Welsh Government and the potential this unlocks.

2. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that the Welsh Government has presided over the highest high street vacancy rate in Great Britain in 2017, at 14.5 per cent.

3. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) abolish business rates for all small businesses with rateable values of up to £15,000; and

b) reform the business rates system and explore splitting the Welsh multiplier to increase the competitiveness of smaller businesses.

4. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that the Welsh Government should extend the funding available to support free parking pilot schemes in Wales

5. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan):

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the importance of micro, small and medium-sized businesses to the success of communities and the wider Welsh economy.

2. Notes the vital importance of cross-government policies that support businesses on Welsh high streets to thrive and grow.

3. Recognises the Welsh Government's commitment to supporting high street retailers and other businesses by providing more than £200 million of funding in 2017-18 to support around three-quarters of ratepayers in Wales through rates relief.

4. Acknowledges that in 2017-18, more than half of all businesses across Wales pay no rates at all.

5. Notes the Welsh Government's intention to put in place a permanent small business rate relief scheme which is simpler, fairer and better targeted towards growing businesses in Wales from April 2018.

 
6. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) abolish business rates for all businesses with a rateable value of less than £10,000 per year, and provide tapered relief for businesses whose rateable value is between £10,000 and £20,000;

b) make all businesses during their first year of operation exempt from paying any rates in order to encourage new start-ups across Wales;

c) introduce a split multiplier for small and large businesses as is the case in Scotland and England; and

d) explore replacing business rates altogether with alternative forms of taxation which do not discourage employment, town centre regeneration and investment in plant and machinery.​​