David Northey (Service Director for Finance) gave the following updates:

a)    In March 2023, a notice was unanimously approved at a Full Council meeting to provide council tax payers with a minimum of 12 months’ notice for any changes;

b)    Due to the delays the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill faced in Parliament and receiving Royal Assent in October, the council would have to reconfirm the commitment above, resulting in a new start date of 1 April 2025.

Cabinet agreed the following recommendations:

1.    From 1 April 2025 the current 100% premium for dwellings which were

unoccupied and substantially unfurnished would be levied after a period of one year;  

2.    From 1 April 2025 a premium of 100% will be levied on all dwellings which were unoccupied and substantially furnished (second homes).