Gwynedd Council is due to recommend its “favoured options” on council tax premiums for second and long-term empty homes.

It will seek a decision over keeping the premiums, “as they are” for the 2027/28 financial year at a meeting on 10 November, as the Cambrian News goes to print.

Cabinet is due to recommend no discount is given on Class A second homes.

It also proposes approval of no discount and raising a premium of 150 per cent on class B second homes.

The council also favours no discount on homes empty for six months or more whilst raising a premium of 150 per cent on homes empty for 12 months or more.

If approved, recommendations will go to full council on 3 December for a final decision.

The council must make an annual decision if it is to levy a premium on council tax on long-term empty dwellings and second homes, otherwise there would be a 50 per cent discount on the council tax of such properties.

For 2026/27, Gwynedd raised a council tax premium of 150 per cent on second homes and long-term empty dwellings. Legislation allows them to up to 300 per cent.

Since the introduction of the premium at the start of the 2018/19 financial year, money collected through it has been placed in a fund for projects outlined in the council’s housing action plan, to ensure Gwynedd residents “have access to a suitable home of a high standard that is affordable and improves their quality of life”.

Over the lifetime of the scheme, a total of over £200 million will be invested, supporting more than 17,000 people.

Since the 2023/24 financial year, £3m (increased with inflation) has been used within the revenue budget to fund the homelessness service.