Over the past couple of weeks Parliament has been prorogued ahead of the Queen’s Speech. A Queen’s Speech marks the symbolic beginning of the beginning of a new session of Parliament, and Her Majesty the Queen will give a speech stating the Government’s priorities for the next session.
Despite
the issues around the COVID-19 pandemic, the last session of Parliament was an
incredibly productive one, that saw nearly 20 new
Acts of Parliament passed, delivering on many of the Government’s Manifesto
commitments from the last General Election. These included our ground-breaking
Environment Act, Animal Welfare Act, Nationality and Borders Act; the Police, Crime,
Sentencing and Courts Act, and our Health and Care Act. As we move on from
Brexit, these acts have allowed us to make the major changes we need to take
back control, innovate and be nimble where we could not be before as part of
the EU.
I now look forward to the Queen’s Speech this week to see the
next change of our Government’s programme of legislative reform. The speech
itself fell after the deadline for submitting my column so I can’t go into
detail on it now. However one major item that was confirmed over the weekend
was that the speech will contain an act giving new powers for local authorities
in England, like Cornwall Council to be able to double council tax on unused second homes to boost
funding for local services.
This is
something I have long-campaigned for, both during my time as MP for Truro and
Falmouth but also when I was a Cornwall Councillor. Having been an elected
representative at both levels of government I fully understand how beneficial
it would be for local authorities like Cornwall Council to be abler to have
these powers, which will generate income that can then be put direct into
running and improving local services. This is an argument I have been making,
along with my Cornish MP colleagues, for some time.
The powers announced in the Queen’s Speech will give
councils the ability to levy a premium of up to 100% on council tax bills for
second homes – which are furnished but not occupied as a sole or main residence
– empowering them to determine how best to raise additional revenue for their
communities.
It has also been confirmed that another big issue that we
have in Cornwall, empty homes, will be addressed, as homes left empty could
also see their standard council tax rate doubled sooner – after 12 months
rather than two years – in a move that will discourage owners from leaving
properties vacant for a long time, while injecting money back into local areas.
In addition to having the power to apply greater premiums at
a level of their choice, Local Authorities will enjoy flexibility on how to
spend the funds raised and can decide to prioritise keeping council tax bills
low for local households. This will also help deliver the infrastructure that
communities really need, including genuinely affordable housing, social care
and children’s services.
Along with the
announcement of the closure of the holiday let business rates loophole earlier
this year, I am pleased to see this Government once again listening to concerns
raised from Cornwall and committing to take action. The growing numbers of
empty homes, many of them second homes, across Cornwall, are a legitimate
concern when it comes to keeping our communities vibrant all year round and I
hope you will agree with me that this is good news for us all.
As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my
team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at
Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698. My
regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at
my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any
matters that I can be of assistance with.
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