Councillors in a second home hotspot will be asked to decide on the level of council tax premium for the next year in a series of meetings between now and Christmas. 

A public consultation took place during the summer when Conwy council in north Wales invited second and long term empty property owners, as well as those who don’t own such properties, to give their opinions on what the premium should be. 

People were also invited to give their opinion on what effect the premium has on tourism, the Welsh language and affordable housing. 

Over 900 responses were received.

The premium is designed to encourage owners to bring empty properties into use and support the increase of affordable housing for purchase or let in local communities. 

The results of the consultation and a range of other information has been considered by the local authority’s Affordable Housing (Council Tax Premium) Working Group.

A spokesperson says: “This is a complicated issue, and research and the work that goes into considering the impact on the economy and the Welsh language of additional council tax premiums is an important part of our considerations. It’s also important to note the proposal that, as previously, the funds raised support pressures in the council’s housing services budget.”