Premium council tax rates won't be cut despite economy fears

HIGHER council tax premiums for second homes and long-term empty properties will not be cut, a North Wales council confirmed.

- By RICHARD EVANS

Conwy County Council anticipates the 150% premium for second homes and 200% for long-term second homes will generate an additional net income of £5.519m this year alone (2025/26).

A full council meeting at the council's Coed Pella HQ heard how the policy helped reduce the number of long-term empty homes by more than 23% in the last year.

The number of second homes with a premium had remained static during the same period.

Cllr Chris Cater, the cabinet member for finance and strategic planning, told the chamber that council tax funded about 30% of Conwy's finances.

He said respondents in a recent public consultation said second homeowners contributed to the local economy and there was a risk of destabilising the housing market - as well as a risk to tourism.

But Cllr Cater also said there was a "balance to be struck between the policy benefits and the resulting financial consequences".

He added: "We must be sensitive to unintended consequences developing." Cllr Nia Owen seconded Cllr Cater's proposals to back the report.

Cllr Chris Hughes said: "There's significant evidence that the current position is working.

"Properties are starting to come back into use, and I think there is an awful lot of work at the moment having to be undertaken by council tax officers in terms of reviewing those properties, ensuring they are taxed at the right rate, but also identifying those properties that may have slipped under the net over the past few years.