Council 'disappointed' over second homes plan fail

A council has expressed its disappointment over a failed bid to increase the rate of council tax for second homes.

Wiltshire Council's minority Liberal Democrat administration had hoped to raise £1.5m by charging double the rate of council tax, but the plan was rejected by Conservative and Reform UK councillors.

Around 1,300 homes in the county are classed as second homes.

Cabinet member for finance, Gavin Grant said "it is very disappointing" that "councillors chose to extend more privilege to those most well-off," but Conservative leader Richard Clewer said the proposal was "invidious" and "not fair."

The proposal was narrowly defeated by 46 votes to 44 with one abstention.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) three quarters of local authorities in the country charge a premium on second homes – including those run by Conservative and Reform Councils.

But Conservative group leader Richard Clewer said "the idea of taxing people more for having a nice house is wrong" and "not something we [the council] should be doing".

Ed Rimmer, leader of the council's Reform UK group called it a "punitive tax" and said it would "deter people from wanting to live here".

Grant added the proposal would have benefitted "all residents" and allowed the council to fall "in line" with authorities across the country.

"The additional £1.5m could have helped protect frontline services at a time of rising costs and tightening council budgets," he said.

"Communities and local economies thrive when residents engage. They die when previously occupied homes become occasional casual retreats," he added.

Grant said evidence from other authorities showed the premium encouraged "full-time rentals or houses being sold to real homeowners".

"We believe the broadest shoulders should bear the greatest burden," Grant said.

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