Norfolk County Council hopes for second homes tax boost

Norfolk County Council anticipates its coffers will be boosted by millions of pounds through extra charges on properties which are not principal residences.

The county’s district councils, except Breckland, Broadland and South Norfolk, intend to bring in the new charge from next April - which would double what owners of second homes pay.

Places such as Burnham Market, Hunstanton, Brancaster, Wells and Blakeney are among Norfolk's second homes hotspots.

Burnham Market is one of Norfolk's second home hotspots (Image: Chris Bishop)Conservative-led County Hall, which is planning on a 2.99pc increase in its share of the council tax next year would benefit hugely from an injection of extra cash as it grapples to find £44m of cuts and savings in 2025/26 - on top of £42m agreed this year.

Norfolk County Council's County Hall headquarters (Image: Mike Page)

READ MORE: West Norfolk Council second home tax charge could make £6.5m

About three quarters of council tax cash goes to the county council, with the rest going to the districts, the police and crime commissioner and town/parish councils.

County Hall has said it is too early to put a figure on how much extra it would generate, but in a report, officers stated it could bring in "significant additional income".

The issue of second homes has become increasingly contentious in Norfolk with many locals claiming they are harming communities. 

The new tax is intended to address these concerns but has led to fears that some popular areas will be seen as 'cash cow villages'. 

The consequences of the charge on second homes was discussed at the council's cross-party scrutiny committee, where Liberal Democrat chairman Dan Roper, also a Broadland district councillor, said: "Clearly, the officers would like us to get this extra money, but there is a political dimension to it.

Dan Roper, Liberal Democrat chairman of Norfolk County Council's scrutiny committee (Image: Dan Roper)

"Ultimately, it does involve charging some people more money in council tax and that is something for politicians to decide about."

Jane James, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for corporate services and innovation (Image: Jane James)

Jane James, cabinet member for corporate services and innovation, said she did not want to prejudge what district councils did, but acknowledged there were "pros and cons".

Conservative councillor Brian Long, also a West Norfolk councillor - which is introducing the extra charge - said many second homes may "suddenly become fully available Airbnbs", avoiding both council tax and business rates.

Labour group leader Steve Morphew (Image: Denise Bradley)After the meeting, Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at County Hall, said: "If it is an important policy for the districts then that's all well and good, but the county council should not be relying on that when planning essential services for the people of Norfolk."