Second Homes in Coastal Areas 2023-02-20
2023-02-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the concentration of second homes in coastal areas like North Norfolk, which impacts local communities.
What steps his Department is taking to address numbers of second homes in coastal areas. The ability to double council tax on second homes is a real step in the right direction to help communities, such as mine in North Norfolk, that suffer from a high concentration of second homes. However, clause 73 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill requires greater clarification.
My hon. Friend does a superb job of representing communities affected by large numbers of second homes. The new council tax second homes premium will enable councils, particularly in areas such as his with a strong tourism industry, to generate significant additional funding for local services. If they introduce the maximum premium, they will benefit from double the council tax revenue.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Clause 73 clarification requested but not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the concentration of second homes in coastal areas like North Norfolk, which impacts local communities.
However, clause 73 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill requires greater clarification. Currently, a district council such as North Norfolk benefits from just 8p in the pound from council tax revenue. Does the Minister agree that we ought to look at that clause and ensure that the communities affected by second homes are the ones that benefit from additional taxation raised?
My hon. Friend does a superb job of representing communities affected by large numbers of second homes. The new council tax second homes premium will enable councils, particularly in areas such as his with a strong tourism industry, to generate significant additional funding for local services. If they introduce the maximum premium, they will benefit from double the council tax revenue.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Clause 73 clarification requested but not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of section 21 notices on families being displaced to make way for second homes in rural areas like Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall.
Families are being turfed out of their private rented homes under section 21 notices so that they can be turned into second homes and Airbnbs. Does the Minister agree with south-west supporters of the First Homes Not Second Homes campaign, which I run with Cornwall councillor Jayne Kirkham, that it is time not only for increased council tax on second homes but for a proper licensing regime, so that communities can decide how many second homes should be in their community?
We are looking at the issue of registration of second homes through the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill and other frameworks. We understand that people want to go on holiday to beautiful areas, but there is an impact on communities. We need the registration scheme so that we understand and better mitigate that.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Licensing regime not directly addressed.
Response accuracy