Open warfare breaks out over Welsh second homes tax increase
Bitter row erupts between councillors over the effects of Anglesey’s 100% council tax premium for vacant and second homes.
Locals and opposition councillors have vented their fury at ruling party Plaid Cymru over the damage its new 100% council tax premium on second homes is doing to both tourism and house prices in Anglesey.
Plaid Cymru has countered the criticisms, claiming the extra tax is essential in order to “keep control over the number of holiday and second homes on the island and is crucial for bringing vacant properties back into use to combat the housing crisis”.
Anglesey Opposition leader and independent Cllr Aled Morris Jones (main picture) says, however, that that a number of locals are “struggling” to keep up with the higher payments after inheriting family homes.
Serious concerns
Many locals have also expressed serious concerns over the damage that it’s doing to the area’s vital tourist industry.
One, Belvedere71, has written on North Wales Live: “We may as well put a sign up to say we are closed. Tourism is about the only thing we have left”.
Tourism is our bread and butter. Shame on you.”
Another, OllieEd, says: “Tourism is our bread and butter. Shame on you.”
More cast doubt on whether the tax will make housing more affordable for locals, with one resident, Morpick saying: “The reality is that the premiums imposed on council tax have zero impact on the availability of affordable housing.
“All it does is drive away investment and help to fund the provision of gold-plated pensions for council staff.”
And Jnrm adds: “You could knock £100K off the price but if the purchaser can’t get a mortgage he or she can’t buy it!”
Not all locals agree, though, Krusty69 says: “Legalised extortion – don’t make me laugh! With homes let out for £1,500 a week in a high season, a bit of extra tax is quite reasonable”.
