Cooke & Arkwright Directors, Elizabeth Hill and Andrew West attended, and Elizabeth made a presentation on the current commercial property market conditions in Wales in the first session on Tuesday 13th October.
Andrew West, Business Rates Director and inaugural member of the Compulsory Purchase Association Wales Steering Group, attended the second session on Wednesday 21st October. This included a talk by the Senior Planning Manager for the Welsh Government, Andrew Ward.
Mr Ward outlined the Welsh Government’s proposals for reforms to primary and secondary legislation covering compulsory purchase powers in Wales. The proposals follow a consultation conducted last year and responses are invited by Friday 19th January 2021.
Andrew West commented, “Both sessions were interesting and useful in an area which has seen reduced activity in Wales over recent years.
“The creation of the Welsh Steering Group of the Compulsory Purchase Association is a driving force in retaining and developing skills in the surveying and legal professions.
“The Welsh Government is keen to assist Councils to implement CPO’s, particularly where this would facilitate the construction of additional housing stock. It proposes some sensible reforms to primary and secondary legislation to facilitate the process. The conference helped explain the reasoning behind the proposals.
“The success of the event should ensure this becomes an annual event in future.”
Other speakers at the conference included Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government, Huw Williams of Senedd Cymru, Annabel Graham Paul of Francis Taylor Buildings, Alex Minhinick of Burges Salmon, Keith Murray of Keith Murray Consultants, and Richard Lloyd of Eversheds Sutherland.