Second homes council tax premiums in Pembrokeshire are to drop from the current 200 per cent rate to 150 per cent, despite warnings it could lead to a council tax rise next year of as much as 14 per cent.

At today’s October 17 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council, two attempts to lower the second homes council tax premium in Pembrokeshire were made, with members hearing the changes could lose the council between £2.6m and £5.2m, and could increase next year’s overall council tax rise to as much as 18.8 per cent.

Pembrokeshire is currently expected to see an 11.14 per cent council tax rise in the next financial year.

Second-home owners, since this financial year, have been paying a 200 per cent premium on their council tax, effectively a treble rate, following an increase from the previous 100 per cent (or double rate) premium.

Under Welsh Government legislation, local authorities are able to increase the council premium on second homes to as much as 300 per cent, effectively a quadrable rate.

Long-term empty properties in the county are also currently charged a premium council tax rate: 100 per cent after 24 months, 200........

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