As we head into February it has been an interesting time for
me both locally and in Westminster over the past week. In my new position as a
member of the Space Industry Bill Committee it was great to be spend a lot of
time involved in the scrutiny and development of this new legislation as it
heads towards becoming law. With our strong bid for Cornwall Airport Newquay to
be Britain’s first commercial spaceport this could be a game-changer for our
local economy and I will continue to do all I can to achieve this.
I also questioned the Secretary of State for the Environment
on our responsibilities as MPs to lead the way in the fight against plastic
waste, ahead of a new campaign I will shortly be starting – more on that next
week!
Meanwhile in Mid-Cornwall on Friday I attended a meeting of
the Cornwall Leadership Board, along with key private and public sector figures
at County Hall, to help set the agenda for Cornwall for 2018 and beyond, as
well as going along and speaking at a packed breakfast event for St Austell Bay
Chamber of Commerce.
One issue that was due to be discussed at the most recent
Full Council meeting of Cornwall Council surrounds the loophole that enables holiday
home owners to get out of paying council tax for their homes.
Essentially the issue is that second-home owners register
their properties as businesses and get small business rates relief for them
thereby contributing nothing to the cost of local services and Policing.
This is an issue that I have recently met with the Local
Government Minister about. It is clearly an unfair gap in existing legislation
and one that needs to be closed as soon as possible.
The Government has already made some progress in recognising
the sometimes negative impact that second homes can have on the all-year
communities they are in, pushing up houses prices and making them unaffordable
for local people. In 2011 the Conservative-led Government ended the scheme
where many second home owners qualified for up to 100% relief on their council
tax. In 2015 the Government announced a stamp duty levy on second homes, with
the proceeds of this levy going to areas that suffer from this issue, with
Cornwall mentioned specifically by the then-Chancellor during his announcement.
The monies from the levy are sent to local councils for use
in affordable housing developments via Community Land Trusts. The first batch
of this payment was issued last year, and I am pleased to confirm Cornwall
Council received £5m from the Government.
There is still more to do though, and I will be working with
colleagues both locally and in Westminster to find a common sense solution that
ensures all local property owners contribute to our local communities.
My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and
work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support.
The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no
appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on
then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or
office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only,
advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at:
www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
