James Evans MS is calling on the Lib Dem/Labour run Powys County Council to follow the example of Pembrokeshire County Council who have recently voted to lower the level of Council Tax Premium charged.
New rules were introduced by the Welsh Government in April 2023 which gave all Local Authorities the power to charge a ‘premium’ on top of normal Council Tax - of up to 300%. This applied to second homeowners but also included many holiday businesses that could not meet the new 182-day occupancy threshold.
James Evans MS said:
“The Lib Dems in Powys have the discretionary powers to be able to lower the premium they charge on Council Tax. This was meant to target second homeowners, but instead it is hurting genuine holiday let businesses who are unable to meet the ludicrously high 182-day occupancy rate. Many accommodation providers tell me the Council Tax Premium charge is too much and forcing them out of business. We all know how important the tourism spend is in our local area and the Lib Dems should be supporting tourism businesses, not squeezing every last penny out of them.”
“I am calling on the Lib Dem/Labour run Powys County Council to support local businesses and support the tourism sector here in Powys by using their discretionary powers to lower the premium Council Tax level. The Welsh Government are encouraging local authorities to publish information about the numbers of properties, the premiums collected and how the council tax revenue has been used. They need to tell us exactly how much money they are raising in Council Tax premiums and ensure that all the money raised is ring-fenced back to support local tourism businesses or create affordable housing, not increasing Officers salary levels.”
