Pay more tax, student landlords may be told
A CAR was seized and four men were arrested over the weekend for hare coursing in West Lancashire.
West Lancashire police were called at about 10.30am on Saturday with reports of the illegal sport taking place in Curlew Lane, Rufford.
They arrested four men and took away the car they were using – a red Hyundai.
Hare coursing is the pursuit of hares, using dogs that chase the hare based on the use of their sight, not scent. Dogs known for their speed, such as greyhounds and lurchers, are used.
Hare coursing was made illegal in the UK in 2004, under The Hunting Act 2004.
The four men arrested could be faced with charges under the act when they appear in court. The act was also used to seize the vehicle they were using.
The centuries-old sport is still legal in some countries, such as Ireland. Points are awarded on the dogs’ ability to overtake or “turn” the hare.
The Waterloo Cup was the biggest event in Britain and drew huge crowds to Altcar between 1836 and 2005.
Animal welfare organisations have long been opposed to the sport and were instrumental in its ban in the UK.
CALLS are being made for student landlords in Ormskirk and surrounding areas to pay more tax.
West Lancashire borough councillors want to ask central government for more powers to charge student landlords business rates, in line with the way hotels, self-catering and holiday lets are charged.
The issue was being debated by councillors in a meeting last night (Wednesday, October 18) with a suggestion being made to write directly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond.
Liverpool councillors have already called for Government action on the matter.
At present, landlords of student housing do not pay for local public services as student housing is exempt from business rates. Households where everyone is a full-time student also do not have to pay council tax.
West Lancs Borough Council said that as of August this year, there are 717 properties in the area that are free from council tax using student housing regulations. There are a further 308 properties that do not pay the tax because of their student halls of residence status.
Cllr Adrian Owens, on behalf of the Our West Lancashire Group, said in a pre-meeting statement: “Students are a very welcome part of our community and our local economy, but live in concentrated areas of the borough in densely populated conditions.
“This has a big impact on services in these parts of the borough.
“Student households should continue to be exempt from council tax, as students are on low (and loaned) incomes.
‘‘Student landlords are profitmaking businesses, and should pay properly for the demands their tenants make on public services.”
The public services include police and fire services, waste management and environmental health demands.
The council receives funding from central government which covers the council tax gap from these households. But this funding will be phased out by 2020, meaning that eventually the burden will fall on all other council tax payers.
The council estimates that £1.3m would be generated if landlords paid their share.
Cllr Owens has highlighted a petition which has been gaining support for a change in the tax regulations. It has more than 300 signatures and can be found online at www.bit.ly/chancellorpetition.
Are you a student landlord in the area? Or a local resident or student? How would you feel about a change to the tax rate? Please email us at: newsdesk@ ormskirkadvertiser.co.uk