Issue - meetings

That Cabinet:

a)      note the position in relation to Second Homes and short-term empty properties; and

b)       recommend to Full Council for approval to levy a Second Homes premium with effect from 1 April 2026, in line with recent legislative changes and to amend the discount for short-term empty properties from 1 April 2025.

Reasons for Decision:

To assist the Council with achieving its objectives of creating more and better-quality homes through our roles as landlord, developer and planning authority and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour within our communities.

Options Considered:

The alternative options were detailed in the body of the report.

The Business Manager – Financial Services presented a report which set out the current position relating to second homes in the district and pit forward proposals to charge a premium on second homes and changing the discount available for short-term empty properties. The Levelling-Up & Regeneration Act 2023 had introduced new powers for councils to charge premiums on second homes. Councils had discretion to decide whether to introduce the premium and the level up to the maximum threshold of 100%.

The proposal in the report was to apply a 100% second home premium with effect from 1 April 2026, and to extend the discount period for short-term empty property charges to a maximum of 84 days but to reduce the awarded discount to 25%.

AGREED     (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)       note the position in relation to Second Homes and short-term empty properties; and

b)      recommend to Full Council for approval to levy a Second Homes premium with effect from 1 April 2026, in line with recent legislative changes and to amend the discount for short-term empty properties from 1 April 2025.

Reason for Decision:

To assist the Council with achieving its objectives of creating more and better-quality homes through our roles as landlord, developer and planning authority and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour within our communities.

Options Considered:

The alternative options were detailed in the body of the report.