Self catering Survey Results - thank you for your responses!
We recently sent you a survey and we are grateful to you for responding to this. The results gained from your responses have great assisted us in our efforts to raise awareness of problems that self catering businesses on the Non Domestic Rate register (NDR) were experiencing applying for Lockdown Grant support.
The self catering sector has uniquely had three additional qualifying questions applied to their applications. As a result, LA areas have had the power to use their discretionary powers to decide whether to award funding and we have identified significant differences in some Local Authority areas.
Key outcomes achieved from MWT's campaign to raise awareness of this issue were:
- Our Wales Tourism Alliance representatives highlighted the issue directly via the Tourism Advisory Group and Lord Elis-Thomas (Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport & Tourism) asked for the results of our survey to be sent directly to him so the situation can be reviewed.
- Writing directly to LA Chief Executives, we have now received word from Powys County Council that they have asked WG for further clarification about their use of discretionary powers to award support and as a result are now reviewing applications received.
Powys County Council
Powys County Council are currently reviewing applications from self catering businesses on the NDR register which they had previously rejected based on 1 or more of the 3 qualifying criteria.
If your local authority contacts you requesting additional information relating to the 3 qualifying criteria, please ensure you respond as soon as possible providing as much detail as possible
We are advising self catering businesses on the NDR register to submit your application even if you feel you were not eligible based on the 3 qualifying criteria as Powys CC will only review those that they have previously rejected.
We have heard from a number of self-catering businesses across Wales over the last week who were previously rejected for grant support, that they will now receive payment
which is very good news.
About MWT Cymru - your support is vital!
MWT is a not-for-profit tourism membership organisation and we have been fighting hard for all businesses throughout this crisis. Often the work that we do goes unseen, but this work is vital to give voice to our independent businesses.
As a business membership organisation, our small team have been working tirelessly over the last 10 months supporting our members businesses. With the help of our Wales Tourism Alliance colleagues, and partner organisations, we have been lobbying both the Welsh & UK Government on behalf of the tourism sector.
Equally important MWT has been the voice on the end of the phone supporting our members throughout this crisis.
As a not-for-profit organisation we can only continue to support the tourism sector in Wales as long as business support us.
If you are not currently a member, which starts from as little as £12.08 + VAT per month for small accommodation businesses, you can find out more about MWT on our corporate website www.mwtcymru.co.uk or give us a call on 01654 702653 to discuss how we can help.
We are very grateful to all our member businesses who work together through these difficult times.
Good luck with your applications! And please do keep us informed on any updates
Kind regards
MWT Cymru Team
