Issue - meetings

Recommend to the full Council on 5 December 2024 that the following is the preferred option with regards to the level of Premium on the Council Tax of Second Homes and Long-Term Empty Dwellings for the 2025/26 financial year:

·       That Cyngor Gwynedd allows NO discount on class A second homes, under Section 12 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (i.e. no change).

·       That Cyngor Gwynedd allows NO discount and RAISES A PREMIUM OF 150% on class B second homes, under Section 12B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (i.e. no change).

·       That 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 (i.e. no change).

The report was submitted by Councillor Paul Rowlinson.

DECISION

Recommend to the full Council that the following is the preferred option with regards to the level of Premium on the Council Tax of Second Homes and Long-term Empty Dwellings for the 2025/26 financial year:

·       That Cyngor Gwynedd allows no discount on class A second homes, under Section 12 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (i.e. no change).

·       That Cyngor Gwynedd allows no discount and raises a premium of 150% on class B second homes, under Section 12B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (i.e. no change).

·       That 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 (i.e. no change).

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted confirming that a decision had to be made on the Council Tax premium levels for second homes and empty dwellings annually in a meeting of the Full Council. Members were reminded that the Premium levels were currently 150% for second homes and 100% for dwellings that had been empty for 6 months or longer (long-term). It was explained that the premium levels would automatically increase if there was an increase to the Council Tax setting.

A recommendation was proposed for the premium levels for second homes and empty dwellings to remain on the same levels for the next year.

The need to follow guidelines published by the Welsh Government was explained, confirming that new guidelines had been introduced since the premium levels were decided by the Full Council last year. It was detailed that the latest guidelines noted that the Local Authorities had the power to increase empty dwelling premium to encourage owners to bring these dwellings back into use, as well as increasing the supply of affordable housing available and make communities more sustainable.

It was reported that the latest guidelines introduced by the Welsh Government noted that a number of factors should be considered when deciding on the premium levels of Council Tax for second homes and empty dwellings. It was detailed that these included:

·       The number and percentages of long-term empty properties and second homes in the local area

·       The locations of the buildings

·       Impact on house prices and affordability

·       The local economy

·       Tourism industry

·       Public services

·       The local community

·       The Welsh language

It was reported that the Council had considered a number of other measures to ensure that more houses were available for residents to bring empty properties back into use.

It was confirmed that a public consultation was undertaken before introducing a Council Tax premium for second homes and empty dwellings for the first time, and before the premium was raised over 100%. It was ensured that the Council had implemented this requirement, reminding members that the latest consultation had been undertaken when increasing the Council Tax premium for second homes to 150%,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6