Council seeks views on new power to raise tax on empty and second homes

Denbighshire County Council is urging residents and interested parties to have their say on a proposal to increase the premium charge for Council Tax on long-term empty and second homes. 

Since April 2017 Welsh Government legislation has allowed local authorities to charge up to a 100% premium for these properties. Denbighshire County Council currently charges a 50% premium on these properties.  

Recent changes in Welsh Government legislation give local authorities in Wales the powers to further increase the Council Tax premium on these properties up to 300%.  

Denbighshire County Council has reviewed these powers and has put forward a proposal to increase the premium on long term empty and second homes to 100% from April 2024, then 150% from April 2025. 

They also propose that long term empty properties that have been unoccupied and unfurnished for five years or more pay a higher premium at 50% more than the standard premium i.e., 150% from April 2024 and 200% from April 2025.

A long-term empty home is one which is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for a continuous period of at least one year. 

A second home is a substantially furnished property, which is not a person’s sole or main residence.  

The Welsh Government introduced these powers to help councils encourage homeowners not to unnecessarily leave their properties empty and unoccupied for long periods of time.

Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, said: “The Welsh Government introduced these additional powers to help Councils to encourage homeowners to bring long term empty and second homes back into use for the benefit of the local community and economy. 

"This initiative will assist us in our ambitions to develop the local economy and create vibrant communities. We are encouraging people interested in this matter to share their views."

* You can have your say on Denbighshire County Council’s proposal by completing a short online survey on https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/717 or computer access and Denbighshire Libraries and One Stop Shops

The consultation runs from today (Friday May 26) until Wednesday June 21 and the findings will be reported to a meeting of the full council later in 2023.

Praise for local businesses during Wales Tourism Week

* At Drosi Bikes CIC (from left)  Julie Masters Clwydian Range Tourism Group (CRTG), Beth and Robin Drosi Bikes, Carol Smith CRTG, Mark Isherwood MS. 

Politicians have been visiting local attractions as part of Wales Tourism Week. 

Mark Isherwood, Welsh Conservative Senedd Member for North Wales, visited Beth Ward and Robin Hughes and Drosi Bikes CIC in Parade Street, Llangollen, explaining how a love of cycling coupled with a concern for the environment was the driving force behind the company, which since May 2021 has been on a mission to encourage accessible cycling and reduce carbon footprints.  

As well as hiring bikes for the day or half day, the team at Drosi Bikes take in repairs, restore donated bikes for sale, and offer e-bike conversions. 

As a community interest company, the team supports a number of programmes to upskill and educate volunteers of all abilities. 

Mr Isherwood commended the company on the valuable service that it provides to the local community, which he said goes hand in hand with its sustainable approach to tourism and its contribution to the visitor economy. 

* At The Dory Gallery (from left) Mark Isherwood MS, Julie Masters CRTG, Suzanne Matheison, of The gallery.

Mr Isherwood also visited The Dory Gallery in Regent Street, Llangollen, where the owner Suzanne Matheison explained how the gallery, opened in June 2021, had come about. 

An independent art gallery located in the former National School for the Poor, The Dory specialises in contemporary and abstract art, particularly the work of the late abstract artist Dory after whom the gallery is named, in an informal setting. 

Individual local artists and art groups are also championed, with regular displays of their work in various media being staged in a series of bright exhibition spaces. 

Mr Isherwood said he was pleased to hear that the gallery is popular with visitors to Llangollen as well as local residents, and said that the wide range of visitor experiences available in the town, of which The Dory Gallery is one, provides growing support for the local economy. 

He added: “It was a delight to visit these excellent tourism businesses which are a real asset to North Wales. I thank them, and the members of the Clwydian Range Tourism Group, for welcoming me and wish them continued success with their ventures.”     

* Ken Skates MS with Caravan and Motorhome Club director of sites and accommodation, Anthony Davies (second left) and site managers Becky and Simon Allen at Lady Margaret’s Park Campsite, Chirk.

* Tourism can continue to drive the local economy in a corner of north-east Wales which has ‘so much to offer’, says Clwyd South Labour Senedd Member Ken Skates. 

Mr Skates, a former Welsh Government tourism minister, said his constituency is ‘brimming with potential’, and believes it will continue to keep local employment figures above the UK average. 

“Tourism is – and always will be – a key sector for Clwyd South and it’s a crucial driver of the local and regional economy,” said Mr Skates. “Our area has so much to offer and it’s a constituency I’m hugely proud to represent. 

“We have two beautiful valleys, the Dee and Ceiriog. The latter was where the Battle of Crogen took place in 1165, which saw King Henry II’s army forced to retreat by brave Welsh soldiers. And we have the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Horseshoe Pass. 

“Then there’s the 200-year-old Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the first transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site, which stretches for 11 miles through some of the most important industrial heritage anywhere in the world.Llangollen is home to the world famous International Musical Eisteddfod and the recently-restored railway line to Corwen, and Rhosllanerchrugog is home to the iconic Stiwt theatre which remains a prominent venue for Welsh language arts.” 

The famous Llangollen-Corwen line has been gradually restored in recent years, with support from the Welsh Government, and volunteers will officially reopen Corwen Station next month. 

“The team has done an incredible job, and it’s taken years of blood, sweat and tears from the volunteers,” said Mr Skates. “It’s been a real labour of love, and it’s amazing to see this jewel in the Dee Valley’s crown brought back to its former glory.” 

Mr Skates visited several other businesses and attractions to mark Wales Tourism Week (May 15-21), including Chirk Castle – one of the two National Trust sites in his constituency – and the nearby Lady Margaret's Park Club Campsite. During First Minister’s Questions, the Clwyd South MS also highlighted the importance of the tourism industry to the region. 

He said: “The constituency is also home to Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, which I visited ahead of the family race day on Saturday (May 20) and is a major local attraction. It was an excellent opportunity to meet the new general manager Paddy Chesters and chief executive Louise Stewart and hear about their plans to further improve the racecourse’s offering.”

Children's sponsored walk in aid of Hope House Hospice

 

* The whole school celebrate their successful sponsored walk.

Children from Ysgol Bryn Collen took part in a sponsored walk in aid of Hope House Hospice earlier today (Thursday).

Years 5/6 walked around the castle, years 3/4 did loops of Plas Newydd, years 1/2 walked in Penycoed Woods, reception strode out around Pengwern and the nursery walked around the school field.

The children have been busy collecting sponsorships and they took on the challenge in memory of Leo Roberts whose sisters attend the school.

Donation boxes have also been placed in Dee Valley Veg, Llangollen Barbers, Riverbanc and The Three Eagles. 

Llangollen's Jen Rush to appear in TV skin cancer appeal

* Jen Rush is taking part in a national appeal to raise money for those affected by skin cancer.   

Jen Rush from Llangollen is taking part in a national BBC charity appeal to raise money for a charity supporting people affected by melanoma skin cancer. 

Jen is appearing in the appeal in memory of her husband James who passed away in August 2022 having been diagnosed with melanoma.  

Melanoma Focus has been selected for a BBC’s Lifeline Appeal, a programme which highlights the work of charities in the UK and invites the audience to donate.

The appeal will be broadcast on Sunday May 28 and Jen will be sharing her experiences of James being diagnosed with melanoma and her work for Melanoma Focus. 

 

Melanoma Focus provides crucial support for those affected by the disease and the medical teams who treat them, along with funding innovative research into new treatments and helping to raise greater awareness of skin cancer. 

The charity's Melanoma Helpline can be the first point of call for people newly diagnosed or grappling with treatment choices.

Patients and carers are also welcomed to the annual Melanoma Patient Conference, a safe space and community event which aims to empower patients and provide information about the latest treatments and advances in melanoma medicine.

 The BBC appeal coincides with Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma Focus has been using the month to share information about symptoms and risk factors for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Experts say 86% of melanomas are preventable but they are becoming more common in the UK killing 2,333 people per year. 

Over the last decade, melanoma skin cancer incidence rates have increased by around a third (32%) in the UK. There are now around 16,700 new cases every year (46 every day) and it is expected to continue to rise.

Jen said: “James was a wonderful man and father to our young daughter Jess. He loved the outdoors and had hobbies including kayaking, surfing, climbing and mountain biking. He was also a talented photographer and designer. He most recently worked as a tree surgeon and was a retained firefighter.

"I’m really proud to take part in the BBC Lifeline appeal in his memory.”

Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, said: “Melanoma skin cancer is a serious and potentially fatal condition. 

"A melanoma diagnosis can bring confusion, anxiety, disbelief and disruption to the patient and their loved ones. That’s where we step in. As experts in melanoma, Melanoma Focus strives to shape a better future for melanoma patients by supporting them from diagnosis through their treatment and beyond.

“We’re delighted that Jen is continuing James’ legacy and supporting our BBC Lifeline appeal to raise awareness of melanoma and raise vital funds for our charity’s work.”

* For more information, or to make a donation online, visit the Lifeline website at bbc.co.uk/lifeline.

Mayor hands over children's coronation mugs

Cheers: Llangollen's Mayor, Cllr Paul Keddie, went along to the town's two junior schools to hand over the commemorative mugs purchased by the Town Council for each of their children to mark the coronation on May 6 of King Charles III. 

There are English versions for Ysgol Bryn Collen and Welsh language ones for Ysgol Y Gwernant, both bearing the council's logo on the reverse. At Ysgol Y Gwernant the school dog Twm was amongst the proud recipients (below).

Funeral takes place of town's British Legion chairman

* Phil Stroud on duty with the Royal British Legion.

The funeral of Phil Stroud, chairman of the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion, took place yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, with a service at St Collen’s Church followed by committal at Pentrebychan.

Mr Stroud died aged 70 at home on May 5 after a short illness.

Originally from Manchester, he served for over 20 years in the army with the King's Regiment, and leaves his wife of 23 years Marie, children and grandchildren.

In his introduction to a moving service, in which Royal British Legion standard bearers led the funeral procession down the aisle, Father Lee Taylor spoke fondly of Mr Stroud who he said had been one of the first people to welcome him when he moved to the area just under five years ago.

Father Lee also praised his strong record of service to his country and later the Legion and recalled his sense of humour which he said had prevailed even through his illness.

In the eulogy, Mr Stroud’s Legion comrade David ‘Dai’ Thomas gave an account of his life, including how he joined the army in his late teens in 1972, serving through until the early 1990s when he left the army to begin a civilian job as a tanker driver.  

After leaving the service he had become a mainstay of the Legion, serving as the local branch’s treasurer, then chairman and as a standard bearer.   

He also involved himself with many aspects of the Legion’s welfare work with former armed forces personnel. 

Later at the crematorium there was the sounding of the Last Post and a farewell song.

Donations were invited to the Legion’s Llangollen branch or the armed forces charity SSAFA.  

Traffic order issued for Abbey Road

 

Denbighshire County Council has issued a temporary traffic order for Abbey Road in Llangollen (copied above).

This covers resurfacing works by the council on a 1.1 kilometre stretch starting from June 19 when a 10mph speed limit will be in force together with a convoy system. 

The order states that no work will take place between July 7 and 11 due to the Eisteddfod.

* The council has also announced it is to close a section of  Maesmawr Road for carriageway patching between May 30 and June 2.