TRAIN DEATH

Second home owners could face council tax hike

PEOPLE with second homes in Sefton could face a dramatic rise in council tax in the new financial year.

In a bid to incentivise owners with multiple properties to make them available for sale or rent in the hope of increasing available housing stock in the borough, Sefton Council’s cabinet is being recommended to apply a 100 per cent premium on homes left empty for one year or more.

This would represent a cut from the existing policy of two years or more.

Introducing the premium on dwellings ‘occupied periodically’ could increase council tax income by approximately £383,000, of which £320,000 would be available to Sefton Council to further support local services.

A further half a million pounds could also be generated through cutting the length of time properties can remain empty before the premium is applied, from two years to one.

Both changes are expected to be approved at Sefton’s full cabinet meeting, but some discussion could be had about the percentage increase as 25 per cent, 50 per cent and 75 per cent are also on the table.

Across Sefton there are approximately 2,100 homes which have been empty for six months or longer and almost 1,400 have been empty for one year or more.

There were also approximately 405 properties registered as second homes in Sefton.

In a time when demand for housing is increasing, Sefton Council believes these empty dwellings represent a ‘significant wasted resource’.

Introducing this form of legislation was boosted by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 that allows councils in England to charge a premium of up to 100 per cent on second homes.

However, Sefton Council are required to give second homeowners 12 months’ notice of any council tax changes and, as a result, the earliest date the premium could be applied is April 1.

In a time when demand for housing is increasing, Sefton Council believes these empty dwellings represent a ‘significant wasted resource’.

Besides the financial benefits to the borough and the possibility of improved local services, the aim of these Council Tax changes is also designed to bring housing stock back into use, increase housing supply, foster community cohesion and reduce anti-social behaviour.

A MAN has died after being hit by a train.

British Transport Police officers and paramedics were called to the line near Freshfield railway station in Formby at 12.10pm on Monday.

A man in his 50s was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident is not being treated as suspicious.

A rail replacement bus was in place between Hall Road and Southport following the incident.

Dwellings ‘occupied periodically’ could increase council tax income by approximately £383,000, of which £320,000 would be available to Sefton Council to further support local services