POWYS Council’s finances won’t receive any financial boost in next year’s budget, from hikes to council tax payments for holiday homes or long term empty properties.

Finance portfolio holder Cllr Aled Davies stressed that it would be "unlikely” that any changes to council tax charges for holiday homes or long term empty properties, would influence next years budget.

The discussion took place at a meeting of the cabinet on Tuesday, November 24 where the council tax base was set, and at which a consultation into additional tax on long-term empty properties was discussed.

Cllr Davies (Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant & Llansilin – Conservative), said: “Could I stress there are two distinct elements to that consultation.

“One is on long term empty properties and the other is on the second home premium.

“We must not confuse the two, and it is unlikely that the outcome will come in the next financial year because we need to give people notice to adjust their affairs if there is going to be a change or not.”

A proposal to increase the premium council tax charge on holiday/second homes to 75 per cent above the normal rate is out to consultation until December 14.

Long empty properties are liable for a council tax charge of 50 per cent above the norm and a consultation was held from September 18 to October 30 to essentially find out why they are empty.

This could help inform a future decision on the premium for this type of property.

Setting the council tax base is an annual legal requirement, and starts the process which will finish usually finish in late February or early March when the budget and council tax for the next financial year is voted on at a full council meeting.

This year the Powys County Council budget of £269 million saw £184.3 million come from the Welsh Government, with the rest being made up from council tax and specific funding grants.

Powys – along with all other Welsh local authorities – will find out just before Christmas what funding they will receive from the Welsh Government for 2021/22.

The council will publish its draft budget on December 21.