Issue - meetings

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance.

That the Council makes no change to the Council Tax Premium for 2025/26. That is, for the financial Year 2025/26:-

·         Cyngor Gwynedd allows NO discount on class A second homes, in accordance with Section 12 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

·         Cyngor Gwynedd allows NO discount and CHARGES A PREMIUM OF 150% on class B second homes, in accordance with Section 12B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

·         Cyngor Gwynedd allows NO discount on homes that have been empty for 6 months or more and CHARGES A PREMIUM OF 100% on homes that have been empty for 12 months or more, in accordance with Section 12A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Paul Rowlinson, submitted a report asking the Council to reach a decision on the Premium level set on second homes and long-term empty properties for 2025/26.

The Head of Finance then referred to the detailed research work completed by the Research and Information Team to analyse the impact of the Premium on Gwynedd communities in the context of several other changes, such as the thresholds on self-catering accommodation and the potential impact of Article 4.

Members were given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions. 

The Cabinet Member for Housing referred to the Housing Action Plan projects to highlight how the Premium finance was supporting local people to stay in their communities: -

·         £68m had been spent creating 757 new units, with £10m of the amount coming from the Premium.

·         Tŷ Gwynedd (affordable housing being built by the Council) – 3 on the way to Llanberis, 10 in Coed Mawr, Bangor, 9 in Morfa Nefyn and 5 in Llanystumdwy, with other sites in Tywyn, Bala and Llanfachreth also under consideration.

·         New site for 5 local homeless individuals in Dolgellau (that shortlisted for Inside Housing's Best Supported Housing award).

·         The purchase of the former Government building in Penrallt, Caernarfon in the hope of housing over 37 people.

·         Various developments in Bangor, with at least 15 people housed.

·         Housing Lease Scheme - 27 private houses leased to the Council for housing local people, and a further 17 on the way.

·         House Purchase Scheme – 37 houses across the county purchased by the Council for gradual renting to local people – 3 in Aberdyfi, 2 in Abersoch, 2 in Barmouth, 6 in Caernarfon, 1 in Edern, 1 in Felinheli, 1 in Penrhyndeudraeth, 3 in Porthmadog, 3 in Pwllheli and 3 in Tywyn, with more on the way.

·         Social housing – 346 houses built and more than 100 on the way (with Cyngor Gwynedd receiving national recognition from the Welsh Government for the good collaboration with the housing associations).

·         Empty Housing Grants – 85 applications granted and another 20 on the way.

·         Gwynedd Home Purchase Scheme – Tai Teg – 42 households have been able to buy houses through the support of the scheme with a further 35 on the way, more than were granted in the previous 5 years.

The view was expressed that the imposition of a 150% Council Tax Premium coupled with the introduction of Article 4 has had a negative impact on tourism resulting in more guest houses for sale in our communities.  It was also noted that it was understood that £17.2m was currently standing in the Premium fund, with more money coming in by March next year, and it was asked whether the money was being adequately spent by the Council.  In response, it was noted: -

·         That the fund had increased over the years as the Housing Action Plan was a long-term plan. 

·         With houses for sale exempt from paying the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8