Pembrokeshire County Council maintains second-home tax premium

Pembrokeshire County Council has voted to maintain a 125 per cent council tax premium for second-home owners for the upcoming financial year. The decision followed unsuccessful attempts by Conservative councillors to reduce the rate to 100 per cent or a compromise level of 115 per cent. A motion to lower the premium failed 28 to 23, while a subsequent compromise proposal resulted in a 26-26 tie, which was broken by the presiding member's casting vote to reject the reduction.

Council reports indicated that reducing the premium by 25 percentage points would have increased financial pressures by approximately £1.4 million. The premium applies to the county council’s share, the police precept, and town or community council charges. Local representatives noted the contentious nature of the issue, particularly in coastal communities where second-home ownership is high.