The Welsh Government (WG) aim has been to get financial support to eligible businesses as quickly as possible to help them remain viable and asked the Local Authorities in Wales to administer the grant.
A small number of LA's have subsequently asked the WG to re-consider the eligibility criteria for the grant specifically for the self catering sector and as a result the Minister for Housing and Local Government Julie James AM issued revised eligibility criteria.
The revised criteria gives local authorities the discretion, where they feel it necessary to ask qualifying self-catering businesses to demonstrate two years of trading accounts, that their property was let for at least 140 days in 2019/20 and that the self-catering accommodation business is the primary source of income for the owner (at least 50%).
Both Ceredigion & Gwynedd Councils are asking self catering businesses to provide additional information prior to agreeing to pay the grant and we are advising members to ensure they do this asap.
If your business has been affected by this issue and you wish to make your feeling known to your elected representatives, we suggest the following:
If you have concerns over this change in guidance for the Non Domestic Rate Grant for Self Catering we are advising members to write directly to Julie James AM.
If you have concerns about the please refer your complaint directly to your Local Authority Councillor, Local Authority Chief Executive and your constituency AM. You may also wish to copy in the council leaders (email addresses below)
Gwynedd Council Leader:
Dyfrig L. Siencyn
Ceredigion Council Leader:
Ellen ap Gwynn
We have received a copy of the additional declaration that Ceredigion self catering businesses are required to complete for grant payments (attached) please complete these ASAP and send to the below - as soon as we have additional information from Gwynedd we will let you know:
