Evidence on Business Rates to the National Assembly’s Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee

5th October 2016 - Senedd (National Assembly for Wales)

5 October 2016

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Andrew West, Director of Business Rates at Cooke & Arkwright gave evidence, on behalf of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Wales, to the National Assembly’s Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee earlier today, covering a wide range of topics related to Business Rates in Wales, including comparison with England, increasing transparency and modernising the Business Rates system in Wales.

Also giving evidence was  David Magor, Chief Executive of the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV) and Matthew Williams, Policy Advisor, Federation of Small Business Wales.

The Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee report to Mark Drakeford AM, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, with a view to informing the Welsh Government’s policy on this important text. 

It is hoped the evidence given will influence the Welsh Government in promoting business-friendly policies and the efficient, effective application of this important source of revenue, raising over £1 billion towards the funding of local government and police services in Wales.

There is a link to the committee meeting given below.

Evidence to the National Assembly

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I have worked with Jeremy Symons over the past three years successfully leasing and buying property in support of my business. I continue to be very pleased with his knowledge of the market and expertise. Our relationship over this time has resulted in acquiring 20,000 sq ft at Capital Business Park in Cardiff, leasing 11,000 sq ft at Southpoint, and subsequently leasing an initial 42,000 sq ft at Parc Bedwas, followed by a succession of expansions of a further 11,000 and then 47,000 sq ft, enabling us to centralise all of our operations at Parc Bedwas in a single 100,000 sq ft facility. The acquisitions were completed at the perfect time for tenant purposes and the rent fixed throughout the term at very economical rates. A job well done.

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