Tax Advisory Group meeting: 15 January 2015

Members of the Tax Advisory Group

• Minister for Finance and Government Business - Jane Hutt AM (Chair)
• Andrew Evans - Geldards
• Councillor Aaron Shotton – Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
• David Phillips - Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)
• Frank Haskew - The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• Kay Powell - The Law Society
• Leighton Jenkins on behalf of Emma Watkins – Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Wales
• Martin Warren – The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW, Wales)
• Martin Mansfield - Wales Trades Union Congress (TUC) Cymru
• Robert Lloyd Griffiths – Institute of Directors (IoD) Wales
• Ruth Marks – Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)

In attendance

• Jeff Andrews - Specialist Advisor to the Minister for Finance
• Andrew Jeffreys - Director, Treasury
• Bethan Davies - Devolved Tax Legislation Project Support
• Beverley Morgan - Tackling Poverty Policy & Analytical – Local Government & Communities
• Gareth Morgan - Deputy Director, Fiscal Analysis & Strategy
• Georgina Haarhoff - Head of Tax Policy & Legislation
• Huw Owen - Head of Economic Policy - Economy, Science & Transport
• Paul Webb - Regeneration Investment Fund for Wales Project Manager
• Richard Clarke - Tax Administration Project Manager
• Ruth Leggett - Strategic Communications & Engagement Manager, Fiscal Analysis & Strategy
• Tom Nicholls - Economic Advisor
• Trudi King - Secretariat

1. The Minister for Finance and Government Business welcomed attendees to the 4th meeting of the Tax Advisory Group (TAG) for Wales.

2. The Minister welcomed Ruth Marks to her first meeting since taking up the post of Chief Executive of WCVA at the beginning of January. The minister conveyed her thanks to Phil Jarrold for his contribution to the group during the past year.

3. The minister briefly outlined developments since the last meeting, including Royal Assent for the Wales Bill; cross-party talks on further devolution; the Smith Commission’s report on proposals for Scotland; and the package of financial measures agreed for Northern Ireland.

4. Gareth Morgan provided a brief update on the latest developments following Royal Assent for the Wales Bill, including wider fiscal reforms.

5. Richard Clarke provided a brief presentation on the responses to the tax collection and management consultation.

6. Bethan Davies presented an outline of the developing consultation document on replacing Landfill Tax in Wales, with a particular focus on the Landfill Community Fund (LCF).

7. The Land Transaction Tax consultation will be published on 10 February 2015 and will run for 12 weeks. Tom Nicholls presented an overview of the consultation document.

8. The minister emphasised the importance of the use of both consultation periods to gather thoughts and ideas from various sectors.

9. An online platform for discussion would be developed and trialled by TAG members.