A public consultation has begun on proposals to apply additional council tax premiums on long term empty and second homes in County Durham.
Durham County Council is seeking views on the proposals which are intended to bring properties back into use whilst also generating additional spending power for the authority, at a time when it is having to make millions of pounds of savings.
The need to make savings, says the Authority, is due to unavoidable inflationary spending pressures outstripping its council tax raising powers and the grant it receives from government. The proposed changes follow the government’s proposals in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which is being progressed through parliament. The bill makes provision for authorities to increase council tax charges on long term empty and second homes.
Cllr Richard Bell, the council’s deputy Leader and portfolio holder for finance, said: “As with councils up and down the country, we are trying to balance our budgets at a time of significant inflationary and demand pressures and are operating in very uncertain times.”
The survey, which runs until 5pm on Wednesday 13 September, can be completed online here or by picking up a paper copy at any Durham County Council library or Customer Access Point.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
