NDM7386 - Opposition Debate
Tabled on 16/09/2020 | For debate on 23/09/2020To propose that the Senedd:
1. Recognises the housing crisis in many of Wales’s communities and specifically recognises the detrimental impact of unsustainable levels of second homes in depriving the ability of local people to access homes in those communities.
2. Welcomes the steps some local authorities have taken as a result of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 to introduce council tax premiums on second homes as one behaviour changing method around the use of second homes and to facilitate the introduction of measures to meet the local need for housing, but agrees that renewed intervention and leadership is now required at a national level.
3. Calls on the Welsh Government to act immediately in developing and introducing a package of measures which would include but would not be limited to:
a) using the planning system to control the ability to change the use of a residential dwelling from a sole or main residence to a second home;
b) enabling the introduction of a cap on the proportion of the overall housing stock in a community which may be used as second homes in communities where the concentration of second homes is already unsustainable;
c) modernising legislation which currently means that not a penny of council tax must be paid on some second homes;
d) doubling the council tax premium which may be charged on second homes to at least 200 per cent to reinforce work already taking place in some local authorities in seeking to change behaviour around the use of second homes, generate revenue to be invested in social housing and to compensate communities for the detrimental impact of an overuse of second homes on local communities and local services;
e) doubling the higher rates of land transaction tax for an initial period of six months in an attempt to prevent house prices from spiralling further beyond the reach of the local population and first time buyers in many communities;
f) taking positive steps to promote access to housing at a price which is within the reach of the local market, including the possibility of encouraging the development of homes which have local market clauses attached;
g) encouraging and prioritising the purchase of empty homes by local authorities and housing associations in order to meet the local need for social housing; and
h) looking afresh at what constitutes an affordable home.
Tabled By
Amendments
In sub-point 3(g), after 'associations' insert:
', through compulsory purchase if necessary,'
Tabled By
Delete all and replace with:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Recognises the housing crisis in many of Wales’s communities and the need to enable local people to access homes in those communities.
2. Calls on the Welsh Government to act immediately in developing and introducing a package of measures which would include but would not be limited to:
a) taking positive steps to promote access to housing at a price which is within the reach of local people, including reintroducing a reformed right to buy and exploring the options for encouraging the development of homes which have local market clauses attached;
b) encouraging and prioritising the purchase of empty homes by local authorities and housing associations in order to meet the local need for social housing; and
c) clarifying what constitutes an affordable home.
3. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the tourism sector and the Valuation Office Agency to establish an evidence base for policy regarding eligibility for self-catering accommodation to be recorded on the non-domestic rating list.
Tabled By
Delete all and replace with:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Recognises the challenges second homes – and empty homes - can have on the affordability and availability of housing in some communities in Wales.
2. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s long-standing commitment to the provision of good quality, affordable housing, recognising its fundamental role as the bedrock of strong sustainable communities.
3. Welcomes that whilst the pandemic has had an impact on the building of affordable homes, the Welsh Government will meet the 20,000 target by the end of this Senedd term, which will help to meet the need for local housing.
4. Notes that Wales is the only nation in the UK where local authorities are able to charge a premium of up to 100 per cent of the standard rate of council tax both on second homes and long-term empty properties.
5. Further notes that in Wales, unlike the rest of the UK, the Welsh Government did not provide a temporary tax reduction for buy to let investors, investors in furnished holiday lets or buyers of second homes.
6. Calls on the Welsh Government to undertake an evidenced, thorough review of second home ownership in Wales and the measures that might be necessary to ensure the needs of individuals, communities and the economy, in particular the visitor economy, are well balanced. Such a review should look at the role of taxation, planning, local regulation and the supply and access to affordable housing of all tenures.
