 Shadow Local Government Minister Darren Millar AM today sought Assembly Government support for seaside piers amid concerns they face a business rates hike in April.
The Clwyd West AM has written to Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant asking him to consider business rate relief for the structures to help safeguard their future.
In the letter Mr Millar describes piers as “an important part of our national seaside heritage”.
Figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives reveal that the average rateable value for pleasure piers will rise by 22% or £13,400 as a result of business rates revaluation.
Conservatives are leading a campaign in Colwyn Bay to save the town’s pier, while the party has also unveiled ambitious plans to support seaside towns.
Darren Millar AM said:
“Piers such as that in Colwyn Bay are a vital part of our national seaside heritage. Without proper support that heritage could be lost forever.
“That’s why Conservatives in both the Assembly and at Westminster have proposed a range of policies to support seaside towns.
“Labour’s business rates revaluation will see the average rateable value for piers rise by 22% or £13,400 from April at a time when the economy is emerging from recession.
“We need to support businesses in helping them regenerate seaside towns, strengthening the local economy and promoting tourism.
“Welsh Conservatives are committed to encouraging more people to holiday in Wales and to making our seaside towns more attractive places in which to work, live and visit.”
NOTE TO EDITORS
Darren Millar’s letter to the Local Government Minister in full
1 February 2010
Carl Sargeant
Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
Welsh Assembly Government
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1NA
Dear Carl,
Re: Piers in Wales
I am writing to you to ask for your help for the continued support of our seaside piers in Wales.
As you know I am very involved in the future planning for Colwyn Bay Pier in my constituency and firmly believe that piers across Wales are an important part of our national seaside heritage.
I would therefore like to request that you consider offering business rate relief to Welsh piers in order to help safeguard their future and would appreciate your thoughts on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Darren Millar AM
At the 2007 Assembly elections Welsh Conservatives unveiled plans for a seaside towns initiative which would:
Ø Construct or renovate public amenities such as parks, piers, marine leisure facilities, hotels, theatres, and other infrastructure
Ø Promote cultural events throughout the year, including exhibitions of art from national collections
Ø Revamp tourist information centres, toilets and car parks
Ø Encourage the growth of SMEs providing bespoke services and products
[p13, Vote Welsh Conservative for a Change, 2007 Assembly election manifesto]
Figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives reveal that the rateable value of pleasure piers in Wales will rise by 22% from April. Average rateable value 2005: £60,600 2010: £74,000 (%age increase: 22%) [Source: Valuation Office Authority, Rateable value in Wales by SCAT code] | 
