October 08, 2024 - 1081 views
Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has spoken out against the revelation by Conwy County Borough Council that they need to spend £50,000 on new administrative staff to manage increasing Council Tax premiums.
In a report prepared for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 7/10/24, a recommendation was made that:
“In the event that Premiums are increased from April 2025, Council approve the allocation of £50,000 from the premium income to support the administration of the premium as set out in paragraph 3.21.”
Paragraph 3.21 states: “Significant resource is required within the Council Tax team to deal with the increased volume and complexity of correspondence received in relation to the premium as well as the identification of homes where a premium should be applied but isn’t. This is diverting senior resource from the management and collection of Council Tax and therefore any increase in premium will require a budget allocation of approximately £50,000 per annum specifically to deal with premiums, funded out of the additional premium income”.
Commenting on the pressure caused to Conwy County Borough Council by the council tax premiums, Mrs. Finch-Saunders said:
“At a time when the Local Authority is facing around a £23m black hole, it is complete madness to be allowing significant resource to be spent on employing extra administrative staff in the Council Tax department.
“Even more financially irresponsible is the idea that even more significant resource, £50,000, should be invested in the endeavour.
“The reality is that the housing crisis is only going to be addressed if more affordable and social homes are built in the County. Targeting second home owners is a waste of time and money. In fact it is part of the Welsh Government false façade that they are doing something to try and create more homes”.
Conwy County Borough Council has been approached for comment.
