Second home-owners in Pembrokeshire, whose 200 percent Council Tax premiums have contributed more than £9m to council coffers in this financial year, are not expected to see that level rise if a recommendation before full council is backed later this week.

Second-home owners, since this financial year, have been paying a 200 percent premium on their Council Tax, effectively a treble rate, following an increase from the previous 100 percent (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 percent, effectively a quadrable rate.

Long-term empty properties in the county are also currently charged a premium Council Tax rate: 100 percent after 24 months, 200 percent after 36 months, and 300 percent after five years.

At the October 7 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members backed recommending to full council, meeting on October 17, that the second homes premium remain at the current 200 percent, with the long-term empty property rates also remaining at the current levels.

The report also included a review of the council’s discretionary discount policy in relation to properties returning into the Council Tax list from non-domestic rating following the Welsh Government change to a 182 days criteria for holiday lets rate relief, with Cabinet members recommending full council write to Welsh Government asking them to reduce the 182 days let threshold.

A Pembrokeshire consultation has been undertaken on the level of Council Tax premiums, which had one of the highest responses ever received by the council, saw 2,974 responses, with 2,155 from someone whose main residence is outside of Pembrokeshire, along with 67 responses from organisations.

From October 2017-August 2024, the number of second homes paying the premium had dropped from 3,889 to 3,221, with exemptions rising from 137 to 760 over the same period.

In April 2023 councillors backed 75 percent of the funds raised from the second homes premium be used to fund elements of the council’s budget relating to affordable housing and enhancing the sustainability of local communities, the remaining 25 percent spit 75/25 for the Affordable Housing programme and the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant scheme.

From April 1 of this year, that was changed to 85 percent, the remaining 15 percent to the other two areas.

For long-term empty properties this was set at 100 percent for elements of the council’s budget relating to affordable housing and enhancing the sustainability of local communities.

In the previous two financial years the additional income had been placed into an Empty Property Reserve for bringing homes back into use.

Following the Cabinet recommendations, a report before the October 17 meeting of full council asks members to back the Cabinet recommendations, saying: “The consultation shows that some second homeowners support the need for a Council Tax premium, albeit at a lower level than current 200 percent.

“The current Council Tax premium level does seem to be changing behaviour as we are seeing a greater number of properties on the market and the overall number of self-catering units and second homes are starting to reduce.  The council still has a large homelessness issue and while the market is moving the current level of Council Tax premium is achieving its aim. As such there seems little reason (or support) to look to increase it.

“Whilst the consultation demonstrates that there is little support for the current level of second homes Council Tax premium and there have been concerns raised from the tourism industry, it is potentially too soon to change a policy that would seem to be starting to achieve its intended consequences of bringing down the overall level of second homes and self-catering units.”

The report says second homes and empty properties premiums contributed £10.8m to the council’s budget relating to affordable housing and enhancing the sustainability of local communities during 2024-25, £9.1m from second homes.

It said any reduction in the premium would increase council budget pressures, listing the effects of a potential 25 percent drop for the next financial year, leading to a £1.3m drop on a potential general Council Tax increase of 11.14 percent and £1.2m for a potential 7.5 percent rise.

A MOTORIST has admitted to careless driving following a three-car collision at a junction on the A40, resulting in injuries to several individuals.Helen Reemers, 56, of Newton Cross, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court where she faced charges of driving without due care and attention. The incident occurred when Reemers was driving her Toyota Aygo southbound on the A40 from Fishguard.

As she approached the junction with the A4219, Reemers slowed down in preparation to turn right. At that moment, a Ford Focus was travelling north towards the same junction. In an unfortunate turn of events, Reemers turned across the road and collided with the Ford Focus, causing it to spin out of control.

The ensuing chaos led to a third vehicle, a Skoda Octavia, which had been following closely behind, also becoming involved in the crash.The court heard that all parties involved sustained slight injuries. Reemers’ Toyota sustained significant front-end damage, while the Ford Focus incurred damage to its front offside.

The Skoda Octavia also suffered damage on its front offside.On 2 October, Reemers pleaded guilty to careless driving.

The court imposed a fine of £128, along with £110 in costs and a £51 surcharge. Additionally, six penalty points were added to her driving licence.

Pembrokeshire had 24 councillor code of conduct complaints in 2023-‘24, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Standards Committee heard today, October 14.

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW), in its annual letter, highlighted six code of conduct complaints relating to Pembrokeshire county councillors, down from eight the previous year, and 18 relating to town and community councils, up from 14 the previous year.

For 2023/24 there was a decision not to investigate on all six county council complaints; a similar decision made the previous year.

For the town and community councils, Fishguard and Goodwick had one complaint with a decision not to investigate; Haverfordwest five, along with one no decision necessary; Hundleton, Milford Haven, St Dogmaels and Lamphey one decision not to investigate each; Neyland six decisions not to investigate; Tenby one no evidence of a breach.

There were 22 code complaints in 2021/22; 16 relating to county councillors and six to town or community councillors.

The Ombudsman also said it received 40 complaints in respect of Pembrokeshire County Council itself, down from 44 last year, the highest amounts being housing 14, complaints handling 12, and planning and building control five.

Neighbouring authorities Carmarthenshire received 69 and Ceredigion 32 for the same time period.

A report for members from the Ombudsman stated: “We received 40 complaints about Pembrokeshire County Council in 2023/24 and closed 38.  Pembrokeshire County Council’s intervention rate was 18 per cent.”

It added: “We made 24 recommendations to your council during the year.  To ensure that our investigations and reports drive improvement, we follow up compliance with the recommendations agreed with your organisation.

“In 2023/24, 23 recommendations were due and 96 per cent were complied with in the timescale agreed.  The remainder were complied with, but outside the timescales agreed, or remain outstanding as at  April 9.”

The letter will now be considered by the county council’s Cabinet at its November meeting.