South Somerset District Council met last week to discuss a full agenda. Among the items was a proposal to remove the discount on second homes and grant exemption to certain properties undergoing refurbishment or major alterations.
These are the proposals:
1. the removal of the 10% discount applied to second homes, charging 100% of Council Tax; (This would add £117,000 to the council’s revenues)
2. the removal of the 10% discount applied to properties that have been empty for more than 6 months, charging 100% of Council Tax; (This would raise £125,000)
3. the introduction of a 50% premium charge for dwellings that have been empty for more than two years; (This will raise £274,000)
4. the introduction of a 100% discount for a period of up to three months where a dwelling is unoccupied and unfurnished; (The current period is 6 months. This proposal will raise £396,000)
5. the introduction of a 100% discount for up to 12 months to replicate the current Class A exemption from Council Tax for dwellings that are unoccupied and unfurnished and require, or are undergoing, major repair works or structural alterations to render them habitable. (No gain or loss of revenue).
These reforms will bring in an additional £912,00 per year, of which £92,110 will go to South Somerset District Council, and the lion’s share, £643,010 will go to Somerset County Council and other preceptors.
Sadly, not enough to trigger a reduction in Council Tax from the most expensive local authority in Somerset.