Agenda item

This Council notes that a 100% Council Tax Premium applied to second homes in the Leeds City Council area would currently raise £3 million annually. Council calls upon the ruling administration to make the necessary arrangements to make this change happen at the soonest possible date to better safeguard Leeds residents from future cuts to public services.

* In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.3(b) the member submitting the motion shall ask leave of Council to introduce the motion.  

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.3(b)(c) Councillor Golton sought leave of Council to introduce the following motion in his name;

This Council notes that a 100% Council Tax Premium applied to second homes in the Leeds City Council area would currently raise £3 million annually. Council calls upon the ruling administration to make the necessary arrangements to make this change happen at the soonest possible date to better safeguard Leeds residents from future cuts to public services.

Leave of Council was granted and the motion was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Campbell.

An amendment was moved by Councillor B Anderson, seconded by Councillor Andrew Carter

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“notes that the government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill includes proposals that would allow councils to introduce a Council Tax premium of up to 100% in respect of second homes. This aims to help address the negative impact of second homes on the supply of homes available to meet local housing need.

“Council calls upon the ruling administration to bring a report to Executive Board setting out how such a policy might be implemented in Leeds, as soon as full details of the scheme are published.”

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Coupar, seconded by Councillor Bithell

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“…notes that a 100% Council Tax Premium applied to second homes in the Leeds City Council area would raise additional income, but this would only be a small fraction of the £181.9m annual Government funding cut from Leeds by the Liberal Democrats while in Coalition Government with the Conservatives.

Council further notes that the delayed implementation of the Government’s Fair Funding Review continues to deny council services in Leeds more than £45m a year.

Council recognises that the legislation to allow Local Authorities to apply the proposed 100% Council Tax premium to second homes, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, is currently progressing through Parliament and that it would not be lawful for the Council to make a determination before the Bill becomes law and receives Royal Assent.

Council therefore commits to the consideration of the proposed new legislative powers as soon as possible if and when they become law.

Council welcomes strong action taken by this Administration under existing legislation to enforce extra charges on Long Term Empty Homes. Council notes that this has generated just over £4.4m in additional income in the last 3 years.

Council further calls on Government to fully implement the Fair Funding Review to ensure Council can continue to provide vital frontline services and support the citizens of Leeds through a cost of living crisis that has been caused by the mismanagement of the economy by the Conservative Government.”

The amendment in the name of Councillor B Anderson was declared lost, the amendment in the name of Councillor Coupar was carried and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED –

That this Council notes that a 100% Council Tax Premium applied to second homes in the Leeds City Council area would raise additional income, but this would only be a small fraction of the £181.9m annual Government funding cut from Leeds by the Liberal Democrats while in Coalition Government with the Conservatives.

Council further notes that the delayed implementation of the Government’s Fair Funding Review continues to deny council services in Leeds more than £45m a year.

Council recognises that the legislation to allow Local Authorities to apply the proposed 100% Council Tax premium to second homes, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, is currently progressing through Parliament and that it would not be lawful for the Council to make a determination before the Bill becomes law and receives Royal Assent.

Council therefore commits to the consideration of the proposed new legislative powers as soon as possible if and when they become law.

Council welcomes strong action taken by this Administration under existing legislation to enforce extra charges on Long Term Empty Homes. Council notes that this has generated just over £4.4m in additional income in the last 3 years.

Council further calls on Government to fully implement the Fair Funding Review to ensure Council can continue to provide vital frontline services and support the citizens of Leeds through a cost of living crisis that has been caused by the mismanagement of the economy by the Conservative Government.”