Councillor Mark Shayer (Acting Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Economy) introduced the Council Tax Discounts and Premiums report, which was seconded by Councillor James Stoneman (Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economy).

The Council agreed to:-

1.    Subject to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill receiving Royal Assent, from 1 April 2024 the current 100% premium for dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished will be levied after a period of one year.

2.    Subject to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill receiving Royal Assent from 1 April 2024 a premium of 100% will be levied on all dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially furnished (second homes).

For (44)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Darcy, Drean, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Laing, Mrs Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McDonald, McLay, Murphy, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Pengelly, Poyser, Reilly, Rennie, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Singh, Smith, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Wheeler.

Abstain (0)

Against (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (6)

Councillors Churchill, Finn, Harrison, Dr Mahony, Noble and Ms Watkin.

Cabinet agreed to recommend to Council that: 

1.    Subject to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill receiving Royal Assent, from 1 April 2024 the current 100% premium for dwellings which were unoccupied and substantially unfurnished would be levied after a period of one year;

2.    Subject to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill receiving Royal Assent from 1 April 2024 a premium of 100% would be levied on all dwellings which were unoccupied and substantially furnished (second homes).