The Non-Domestic Rating (Multiplier) (Wales) Order 2020

Order made by the Welsh Ministers, laid before Senedd Cymru under paragraph 5(15) of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988, for approval by resolution of Senedd Cymru before the approval by the Senedd of the local government finance report for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2021, or before 1 March 2021 (whichever is earlier).

Welsh Statutory Instruments

2020 No. 1254 (W. 285)

Rating And Valuation, Wales

The Non-Domestic Rating (Multiplier) (Wales) Order 2020

Made

11 November 2020

Laid before Senedd Cymru

12 November 2020

Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2)

The Welsh Ministers make the following Order in exercise of the power conferred on the Treasury by paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988(1) and now vested in them(2).

Title, commencement and application

1.—(1) The title of this Order is the Non-Domestic Rating (Multiplier) (Wales) Order 2020.

(2) This Order comes into force on the day after the day on which it is approved by a resolution of Senedd Cymru, provided that the approval of the Order is given before the approval by Senedd Cymru of the local government finance report for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2021, or before 1 March 2021 (whichever is earlier)(3).

(3) This Order applies in relation to Wales.

Non-domestic rating multiplier

2.  For the purpose of paragraph 3B of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988, for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2021, B is specified as 292.6.

Rebecca Evans

Minister for Finance and Trefnydd, one of the Welsh Ministers

11 November 2020

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

In relation to Wales, the non-domestic rating multiplier is calculated in accordance with paragraph 3B of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (“the Act”) for each financial year when new rating lists are not being compiled. New rating lists are not being compiled for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2021.

The formula in paragraph 3B of Schedule 7 to the Act includes an item B which is the retail prices index for September of the financial year preceding the year concerned, unless the Welsh Ministers exercise their power under paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 7 to the Act to specify, by Order, a different amount for item B. If the Welsh Ministers exercise that power in relation to a financial year, the different amount so specified must be less than the retail prices index for September of the preceding financial year. The retail prices index for September of the preceding financial year is 294.3.

This Order specifies that for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2021, the amount for item B is 292.6.

In accordance with paragraph 5(15) of Schedule 7 to the Act, this Order will only come into force if it is approved by a resolution of Senedd Cymru before Senedd Cymru approves the local government finance report for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2021, or before 1 March 2021 (whichever is earlier).

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with this Order. A copy can be obtained from the Local Government Strategic Finance Division, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.

(1)

1988 c. 41.

(2)

The power under paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988, so far as exercisable in relation to Wales, was transferred to the National Assembly for Wales by virtue of article 2 of, and Schedule 1 to, the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/672). By virtue of section 162 of, and paragraphs 30 and 32 of Schedule 11 to, the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), the power is now vested in the Welsh Ministers.

(3)

References in the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to the National Assembly for Wales now have effect as references to Senedd Cymru, by virtue of section 150A(2) of the Government of Wales Act 2006.