Second Homes

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition (in respect of his law officer responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 2:45 pm on 20 October 2020.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 2:45, 20 October 2020

(Translated)

Well, may I thank Siân Gwenllian? I don't believe there are enough allusions to the work of such a famous bard here, and so I thank her for reminding us about Cynan's poem there. Of course, questions about changing the planning regime in this field are exceptionally complex; that is, the purpose of the planning legislation is to manage use rather than ownership. In my view, looking at the planning system without broader reform is not likely to achieve the aim the Member refers to.

From the point of view of funding, there are more funding powers available to local authorities than are actually being used by them. There are 25,000 second homes, more or less, that come within the local council tax regime, and only about 14,000 of those are charged the highest premium. So, we have greater scope to control this issue within the regulations that we have currently, and far more than is utilised at present. So, in looking at the specific legal challenges, there are a number of steps that need to be taken before we consider the broader platform of legislative reform, I would suggest.