LOCAL businesses are being urged to check their new rateable values immediately to understand whether recent changes could increase their business rates bills.

Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has warned that many firms may be unaware of how the updated valuations could impact them financially and is encouraging business owners to act quickly.

“Business rates are already a major burden for many local businesses,” Kurtz said. “With new rateable values now in place, it’s vital that businesses check their valuation as soon as possible to see whether it will affect what they pay. Too many businesses only realise there’s an issue when the bill arrives. Businesses can visit the VOA website and search their property by postcode or address.”

Rateable values are used to calculate business rates and are based on factors such as rental values and property use. Changes to these valuations can result in higher bills, even where a business has not expanded or increased turnover.

Kurtz stressed that early action is key, particularly for small and independent businesses operating on tight margins.

“Checking your rateable value early gives you time to understand the changes, seek advice, and challenge the valuation if it appears incorrect. Waiting could mean missed opportunities to reduce costs or appeal.”

Businesses are also being encouraged to attend the local information event online to better understand reliefs, exemptions, and the appeals process.

“At a time when costs are rising across the board, businesses need clarity and support, not surprises. I would urge every business owner to take a few minutes to check their rateable value and make sure it’s right.”

Samuel Kurtz MS has also written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford MS, calling on the Welsh Government to follow the UK Labour Government’s apparent change of direction on business rates in England warning that rising rateable values are pushing Welsh businesses to the brink.

For more information on business rates and for a chance to attend the upcoming advice session with the Valuation Office Agency hosted by Kurtz and Paul Davies MS on the 26^th January, businesses are encouraged to register their interest on www.samuelkurtz.wales

A MILFORD HAVEN drug dealer who thought he could cash in by supplying partygoers at a music festival has been ordered to hand over thousands of pounds under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Justin Cadwell, 29, of Picton Close, was jailed for five years after police stopped a vehicle on the A31 near Winchester on Thursday (Aug 8) 2024, acting on intelligence linked to drug dealing.

Cadwell was a passenger in the car, which was being driven by his sister. She was later cleared of involvement after police examined her phone.

Officers found a haul of drugs and other items believed to be destined for a Hampshire festival, including 44.363g of cannabis, nitrous oxide canisters valued at £2,225, 15.11g of ketamine, 12.4g of MDMA, and smaller quantities of cannabis.

When Cadwell’s home was later searched, police found a locked garden shed that had been converted into a drug store.

Inside, officers seized 53.25g of cannabis, 450g of cannabis resin, 29.8g of cocaine, cutting agents and empty snap bags. They also recovered £25,307.85 in cash hidden in the shed and in Cadwell’s bedroom.

Cadwell claimed the money came from window cleaning work and gifts from his father, and insisted the drugs were for personal use.

E-bike crash

The case took another turn months later when emergency services were called to an e-bike crash at Hakin Point, Milford Haven, at around 7:00pm on Friday (Mar 1).

The bike had no lights and the passenger was not wearing a helmet. Cadwell, who was riding the bike, was knocked unconscious in the collision.

As paramedics cut away his jacket to treat him, they found 10.21g of cocaine and 60g of cannabis in his clothing, along with £588.03 in cash. Cadwell refused to provide a drugs specimen when required and again claimed the substances were for personal use.

Guilty pleas

At Swansea Crown Court in July, Cadwell pleaded guilty to two offences of possession with intent to supply cocaine, three offences of possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession with intent to supply nitrous oxide and cannabis resin, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, possession of criminal property, and failing to provide a specimen.

Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told the court it was agreed Cadwell had benefited by £14,719.79 from drug dealing, with £6,569 in available assets.

Judge Geraint Walters made a confiscation order for £6,569, meaning Cadwell must pay that sum back or face further consequences.

PETITION calls for ring fenced protection for physical education as schools face a widening funding gap with England

A WELSH education campaigner is calling for urgent reform after new analysis claimed pupils in Wales are hundreds of millions of pounds worse off than their counterparts in England, with Physical Education among the areas most at risk.

Nick Clement, founder of Confident Healthy Active Me CIC, has launched a petition to the Senedd calling for PE to be ring fenced within the Welsh curriculum, amid concerns that many children are missing out on regular, structured physical activity in school.

“PE is disappearing from many Welsh schools. Some children go weeks without structured physical activity. We would not accept this in literacy or numeracy and we should not accept it in PE either,” he said.

The campaign says Welsh schools are now more than £16,000 worse off per school than those in England, arguing that changes to curriculum funding and the absence of ring fenced support have left schools struggling to protect PE time.

In England, the government provides £320 million annually through the PE and Sport Premium, supporting structured PE delivery and staff training. Campaigners say Wales has no equivalent programme and no statutory requirement for the amount of PE time delivered in primary schools.

The group claims that around 45,000 children in Wales are in schools with little or no weekly PE provision.

Children deserve better

Confident Healthy Active Me CIC delivers free Active Assemblies to primary schools across Wales, aiming to help children build physical confidence and develop healthy habits through inclusive movement sessions. The organisation also works with Flying Start settings, supporting two and three year olds and their families through early years physical literacy and movement based learning.

The sessions combine exercise, storytelling and wellbeing themes, with the campaign arguing that regular movement supports children’s focus, behaviour and mental health, as well as long term physical wellbeing.

“We see daily how movement supports children’s focus, behaviour, and mental health. Yet PE remains optional, underfunded, and undervalued in Wales,” Clement said.

Senedd petition

The petition urges the Welsh Government to ring fence PE in the curriculum and protect delivery in schools. The campaign is asking supporters to help reach 10,000 signatures, which would trigger consideration of a formal debate in the Senedd.

The petition is available online at: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246825

“If PE isn’t protected now, we risk a generation growing up inactive, unhealthy, and disconnected from movement. Wales cannot afford to fall further behind,” Clement said.

Images showcasing the group’s programmes and Active Assemblies are available on request.