A group of people who own chalets on the West Cumbrian coast are set to win their council tax battle.
The chalets, in Allonby, can only be occupied for nine months of year but were subject to their owners paying 100% council tax after 30 years of them paying only 50% of the charge.
The Allonby Chalet Owners Campaign Group was set up to protest the levy and their requests have now been debated by Cumberland Council’s businesses and resources overview and scrutiny committee.
The group’s manifesto said: “We do not own the chalets in the same way you would own a property. We have no deeds and no rights; we could be asked to leave within 14 days.
“As such our chalets have limited capital value which does not accumulate in line with inflation the way that a second home would.”
“We are not denying anyone a home, or depleting the local housing stock, we are effectively preserving Allonby’s heritage.”
In addition, the chalets are not equipped for winter use, and they have very limited services in terms of street lighting, access roads, phone lines or access to wi-fi.
They claim that, realistically, they can only be occupied between April and September.
The committee this week was asked to consider three recommendations for the council tax discounts and premiums for second homes policy:
- The council proceeds with its intention to introduce a 100 per cent premium for second homes from the year 2025/26;
- Second homes (class A) which cannot be lived in on a permanent basis should receive an appropriate discount – it is understood that this would be 50 per cent;
- Over the next six to nine months discretionary discounts be consulted on including other properties that are not class A.
Task and finish group chairman, councillor Brian Wernham (Stanwix Urban, Lib Dems), told the committee that the recommendations were not contentious.
Committee chairman, councillor Joe Ghayouba (Bransty, Labour), proposed that they adopt the recommendations and Ian Hinde, a council policy officer, suggested that clarification over the legislation be added.
Members voted in favour of the recommendations, with the proposed changes to the wording, and the report is due to be debated by the full council on Wednesday, March 6, at the Civic Centre in Carlisle.
