Proposer: Cllr. Mark Strong

Seconder: Cllr. Ellen ap Gwynn

Council notes that:

Ceredigion County Council calls on the Welsh Government to:

1.      add a new clause to the Planning Act so that it is compulsory to make a planning application before obtaining the right to convert a residential home into a holiday home or a holiday let

2.      adapt the policy framework to allow for maximum thresholds to be set with regard to the number of holiday homes in a given area

3.      make it compulsory for second-home owners to ask for planning permission before turning a second home into a holiday business or an AirBnB business

Proposer: Cllr. Mark Strong

Seconder: Cllr. Ellen ap Gwynn

Council notes that:

Ceredigion County Council calls on the Welsh Government to:

1. add a new clause to the Planning Act so that it is compulsory to make a planning application before obtaining the right to convert a residential home into a holiday home or a holiday let

2. adapt the policy framework to allow for maximum thresholds to be set with regard to the number of holiday homes in a given area

3. make it compulsory for second-home owners to ask for planning permission before turning a second home into a holiday business or an AirBnB business.

Councillor Mark Strong gave an outline of the circumstances which led to the Notice of Motion, confirming that the recommendation has been considered and commended by the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Language Committee, placing particular focus on unfair competition, and the need for young people in our communities to be able to buy a home.

Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn noted that it is a pleasure to second this Motion, and thanked the staff for the full report on the situation presented to both Committees. She noted that the Language Committee were fully in support of this Motion.

Councillor Euros Davies noted that the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee also voted in support of the recommendations.

Councillor Dafydd Edwards proposed an improvement on the Motion, to include the insertion of ‘on a community basis’ at the end of the 2^nd point of the motion; and to insert ‘and retrospectively’ at the end of the 3^rd point of the motion.  This was seconded by Councillor Rowland Rees-Evans. However, following discussion, both withdrew the proposal of improvement to the Motion. 

The Council considered a recommendation by the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee that 100% increase is levied on Council Tax of holiday homes in the county.

Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn asked that Officers present a report on the implications of setting a 100% tax on such properties, and defer a full discussion on this until such a report is received.  She also recommended that a fund is set up to assist local young people to purchase homes.

Councillor Ceredig Davies noted that Council had previously agreed that any additional funding received from the Council Tax premium on holiday homes would be spent in those communities, therefore any amendment to the policy would need to be considered by Council.  It should not be retrospective.

Councillor Gareth Davies stated that the planning should come first.

Councillor Elizabeth Evans noted that the levy stands and a report should also consider a breakdown of private renting in Ceredigion.

Following a vote, it was RESOLVED to:

1.    Agree the motion as stated:

2.    note the recommendations made by the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Language Committee; and

3.    that Officers prepare a report for consideration by Council regarding the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation that a 100% increase is levied on the council tax of holiday homes in the County.