A PETITION has been launched calling on the Welsh Government to establish the headquarters of its new tax-collecting authority in Aberystwyth.

From 2018, the Welsh Government will take over responsibility for the setting and collection of landfill tax and the replacement of stamp duty, which will be called the Welsh Land Transaction Tax.

And there are already calls for the new authority to be based in the existing Welsh Government building at Rhodfa Padarn, after a petition started by Penparcau councillor Mererid Jones gained hundreds of signatures within hours.

The petition bemoans the lack of public investment in the town and the mid Wales region when compared to other areas in Wales, and claims such a development would help stem the flow of people having to move away to find quality jobs.

“I think the European vote will require Ceredigion to have to shout louder than ever for investment,” Mererid told the Cambrian News.

“I wanted to put pressure on Welsh Government to set this up in the vacant desks in Aberystwyth.”

The petition, which will be delivered to the Welsh Government minister for finance and local government, Mark Drakeford AM, reads: “We believe that the Welsh Government should establish their headquarters in Aberystwyth."

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