All eyes are on the Island’s Council this week, following proposals set out by John Prescott which would see local councils given more control over the taxation of second home owners.
The Island’s have a high percentage of second homeowners and there is strong consensus amongst locals that there should be no concessions for people who do not actually reside within the community all year around. One criticism levelled at certain second home owners by a Scilly News viewer in the ‘Great Debate’ section, has suggested that some people only use the Island’s for their benefits in the summer and neglect the harsher way of life in the winter. On the other hand, there are second home owners in the Islands who Ido/I bring a great deal into the community.
Current laws see circumstances where some second homeowners are only paying 50% council tax compared to full time residents. A major issue for debate is whether this actually drives up the cost of housing and prevents young locals returning to the Islands to buy their own house.
In a discussion with The Environment Minister Michael Meacher, in 2001, a Scilly News Journalist found that he was in favour of full taxation, and he expressed sympathy for the cause, despite his own much-publicised position when it comes to owning second homes. When his governments’ policy on the issue was sought after he told the Scilly News journalist, on record, “In my opinion, Second homes should be liable to the same council tax charges as primary homes.” He also added that “the situation was under review” and that he was “confident that the charges would be increased to 100%”.
Since that meeting in March 2001, the government had gone quiet on the issue until this week when John Prescott announced his intentions to give local councils the power to scrap or vary council tax discounts. The announcements came as part of a draft local government bill, which could be implemented as early as 2004.