Charging double council tax helps save at-risk public facilities

A local authority has stated charging second homeowners double the rate of council tax could save around 30 public toilets in the area.

Grappling with their financial budget due to the rising costs of living, Pembrokeshire council have claimed they could use the additional £360K, which they would receive off second homeowners, to temporarily fun the limited facilities.

Public toilets with their future under review include Poppit Sands, a beach in Pembrokeshire, – with the area risking losing its Blue Flag status, an award presented to beaches with good water quality, if it is closed.

During the 2021-2022 financial year, the local authority stated public toilets cost them an estimated £600K.

Against this backdrop, a report that was presented to Cabinet Members of Pembrokeshire Council last week said tax funds on second homes would be used to cover the contract costs of the at-risk facilities for 2023-24 while other arrangements are explored.

In the area, Pembrokeshire is said to have over 3,000 second homes, the most in Wales, and councillors have decided to charge owners a 100% premium on council tax – to try and tackle the current housing crisis, which has arisen as a result of high inflation rates, local authorities in Wales are now able to charge up to 300% extra for council tax on second homes and long-term empty properties.

The money made from charging more on second homes can be invested into frontline services and/or keeping council tax for permanent home residents lower.

In addition to Pembrokeshire council attempting to improve their public toilet facilities, at the beginning of this month the government distributed £7m worth of funding to councils across England with an aim to creating better changing spaces toilets for disabled people.

Designed for individuals who struggle to use standard public toilets, the changing spaces facilities are equipped with hoists, adult sized changing benches, and space for carers.

The £7m funding announcement brings the amount of funding awarded under the government’s Changing Places scheme – dedicated to providing more than 600 new facilities – to £30.5m.

Dehenna Davison, Levelling Up Minister for Bishop Auckland, said: ‘Everyone deserves to have the freedom to enjoy their local communities – without the fear of whether or not they’re going to be able to access the facilities they need.’

Ms Davison said the funding announced ‘will see 120 Changing Places toilets in places where they are most needed, helping ensure disabled people and their carers can go about their lives with dignity.’

Photo by Beata Mitręga