Sam Rowlands, the MS for North Wales is calling on residents to take part in a consultation about council tax premiums in Flintshire.

The appeal from Mr Rowlands is for the people of Flintshire to influence the future of the scheme for long term and empty properties and second homes.

Mr Rowlands stated: "I think it is important that local people are given the opportunity to express their views on policies which affect them.

"Your responses will help shape the future of the Council Tax Premium Scheme and determine the levels to be charged.

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"If you want to have your say on this issue then it is important to take part in the review which is now running until July."

The consultation, is by Flintshire County Council, and it began on April 15 and will continue until July 8.

It targets everyone amongst the public and all interested parties, giving them a platform for expressing their views on the future of the Council Tax Premium Scheme.

Welsh local authorities have the discretionary power to vary a council tax premium of up to 300 per cent above the standard rate of council tax for particular classes of second homes and long-term empty properties.

Introduced in 2017, by Flintshire County Council, they currently have a council tax premium level of 75 per cent on long-term empty properties and 100 per cent on second homes.

The premises for this additional fee are properties not being used as someone`s sole or main residence either because they have been empty for over 12 months or a second home which is defined as a dwelling that is substantially furnished and occupied only periodically, like a holiday home.

However, the scheme provides limited exceptions where the premium would not apply, including properties being marketed for sale or let, annexes, and seasonal properties.

Currently, 786 properties are subject to the premium charge with the composition being 616 long term empty properties and 170 second homes, accounting for 1.1 per cent of all domestic properties in Flintshire.

The revised premium levels will be considered as a tool by local authorities to bring back into use the long-term empty homes as secure and affordable residences.

This step aims to increase the supply of affordable housing and enhance the sustainability of local communities.

Presently, 17 local authorities in Wales, including Flintshire, apply a premium scheme with a level varying from 50 per cent to 300 per cent.

The Council is now consulting the public as part of the review process to decide future adjustments in the premium level.

The consultation will remain open for a 12 week period ending at 5pm on July 8, 2024.

The responses, completely anonymous, will be gathered through an online questionnaire that takes just a few minutes to complete.

Residents can share their opinion by participating in the survey through this link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CTP2024/.