CEREDIGION’S Plaid Cymru AM Elin Jones has urged interested parties to respond to a new consultation by the Welsh Government on allowing local councils to levy additional Council Tax on second homes.

The Government has launched the initiative as part of its broader consultation on its White Paper on housing.

Recent census evidence has suggested that Ceredigion has a comparatively high proportion of second home ownership.

Elin Jones AM said,

“I believe it’s an important step to give local authorities more flexibility on second homes in their areas. As the Welsh Government says, there are some communities which have larger numbers of holiday homes. This can have an effect on their cultural sustainability and the provision of public transport and other local services, and a levy on second homes may help local authorities to address issues of affordable housing and the provision of services.

“People in Ceredigion may well have views on this matter, and it’s important that local voices are heard. The consultation runs to late October, and I would urge people to have their say on this issue.”