News
Give your views on council tax premiums for second and long-term empty homes
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is carrying out a consultation on council tax premiums that apply to second and long-term empty homes in Pembrokeshire.
The consultation is open until 6th August 2023 and can be completed at: https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/council-tax-premium-consultation-2023
The consultation seeks your views on:
• Current council tax premiums for second homes
• Current council tax premiums for long-term empty homes
• Whether the Council should use its discretion following Welsh Government’s reform to self-catering holiday accommodation thresholds
The consultation provides context and background information on the current council tax premiums and housing in Pembrokeshire.
It also provides the definitions of second homes, long-term empty homes, exceptions and holiday lettings.
“We urge as many people as possible to give us their opinions on this very important consultation,” said Cllr Alec Cormack, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance.
“Their responses will form an essential part of the Council’s review into council tax premiums.”
Since 1st April 2022, a council tax second home premium of 100% has been payable in Pembrokeshire. In 2019, the Council introduced a premium for properties unoccupied and unfurnished since 1st April 2016 (the premiums vary from 25% to 100% according to how long the properties have been empty for).
Welsh Government recently introduced new legislation which increases the maximum premium that can be charged for second and long-term empty homes from 100% to 300%.
The legislation, which allows Councils across Wales to charge these premiums, is intended to:
• bring long-term empty homes back into use to provide safe, secure and affordable homes
• increase the supply of affordable housing and enhance the sustainability of local communities
At its March 2023 meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council decided that the income generated from the Council Tax Premium for Second Homes be allocated for 2023-24 as follows:
(i) 75% to fund elements of the Council’s budget relating to affordable housing and enhancing the sustainability of local communities
(ii) 75% (of the remaining 25%) for the Affordable Housing programme
(iii) 25% (of the remaining 25%) for the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant scheme which funds projects that address the negative impacts of long-term empty properties and second homes
How to take part in the consultation:
• Please complete the online response form at: https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/council-tax-premium-consultation-2023
• If you do not have access to the internet and would like to respond please call the Customer Contact Centre on 01437 764551 and a hard copy response form can be sent to you.
The closing date for completed responses is 06 August 2023.
Crime
Police investigating attempted burglary at Haverfordwest shop
POLICE in Pembrokeshire are investigating an attempted burglary at No.37 Food and Wine shop on High Street, Haverfordwest, at about 3am on Wednesday, April 3.
A window was smashed and the door handle broken.
Police said: “If you have any information that could help enquiries, please get in touch with PC 195 Tayler, either by: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
“Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.”
News
Don’t forget to vote on Thursday, May 2
THURSDAY, May 2 is your chance to vote for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner.
Don’t forget to use your vote and head to your local polling station between 7am and 10pm.
They are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the police force to account on their behalf.
A Police and Crime Commissioner’s job is to set the police budget and make sure it is spent effectively, appoint the local police forces Chief Constables, set police and crime plans in collaboration with residents and work closely with the local council and other organisations on these plans.
This is the first election in Wales where you will need photographic ID to vote.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport or drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Or you may have applied for a Voter Authority Certificate which is also accepted.
If you plan on taking your Postal Vote to a polling station or County Hall main reception remember to fill in a vote return form. Without the completed form those postal vote(s) will be rejected.
You can only hand in your own postal vote, and postal votes for up to five other people.
You can find out more about the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections online (opens in new window).
Crime
Banned for sleeping in car whilst over the drink drive limit
A MOTORIST caught sleeping in a BMW in MIiford Haven town centre has appeared before magistrates for being in charge of a motor vehicle when he was over the legal alcohol limit.
Police officers discovered John Steele, 30, soon after 5.30pm on March 9 when he was asleep in his red BMW which was parked in a car park at Hamilton Terrace.
“The engine was running and the lights were on,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told District Judge Mark Layton who was sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.
“Officers smelt alcohol, he was intoxicated and he was slurring his words.”
Officers were unable to carry out a roadside breath test as a result of them not being in possession of a breathalyser at the scene of the incident. Steele was conveyed to a police custody suite where two samples of breath were subsequently taken, the lowest giving a reading of 44 mcg.
Steele, who is employed as a machine technician in Selby, pleaded guilty to the charge of being in charge of a motor vehicle while he was above the alcohol limit.
He was fined £400 and ordered to pay a £160 court surcharge and £85 costs. His licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.
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