(qlmbusinessnews.com Tue 28th Nov, 2023) London, UK —
Outcry Over Radical Tax Plan: Bath Council Targets Second Home Owners
Bath and North East Somerset Council is stirring controversy with bold plans to confront second-home owners through a proposed new tax, doubling council tax for residents with secondary properties. Outraged homeowners are closely watching as councillors in Bath and North East Somerset prepare to deliberate on the enforcement of this contentious tax system.
The council is grappling with financial challenges, with a forecasted overspend of £6.5 million this financial year, largely attributed to budget overruns in children's services. Council leader Kevin Guy issued a stern warning during a meeting on November 9, cautioning that if the funding situation, particularly for adults and children's services, is not addressed by the current or next government, it could spell bankruptcy for all UK local authorities.
In addition to the proposed second-home tax, the council is contemplating changes for long-term vacant homes. Currently, residential properties unoccupied for two to five years face a 100% council tax premium. The proposed change aims to reduce council tax for 2,768 households but at the expense of support for 1,127 others.
Earlier this year, all households in Bath and North East Somerset experienced a 4.99% increase in council tax. The fate of these proposals affecting second homes, long-term vacant properties, and council tax support will be decided by councillors at a full meeting of Bath and North East Somerset Council on Thursday, November 30.
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