Editor

It is absolutely disgraceful that Jane Robinson may have to sell her home in Tywyn due to the introduction of the 100 per cent council tax premium (Devastated mum may have to sell “special” second home, 14 March).

The council has also refused Jane Robinson a refund of council tax for being unable, due to Welsh GovernmentCovid-19 regulations, to occupy her property for months on end during the three lockdowns.

Properties subject to council tax exemptions are covered by the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992.

Class G properties are: an unoccupied dwelling the occupation of which is prohibited by law, or which is kept unoccupied by reason of action taken under powers conferred by or under any Act of Parliament, with a view to prohibiting its occupation or to acquiring it”.

Gwynedd Council is hiding behind its interpretation of the Covid-19 regulations by claiming that it is not the occupation of the second-home that is unlawful but only the travel to the property!

So, it would now seem that Gwynedd Council’s policy is that it is perfectly legal to occupy second homes during lockdown!Why, therefore, was the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who had travelled to her second home in Gwynedd prior to lockdown, ordered to leave her property by the police on Christmas Day when lockdown had been reinstated?

There have been a number of similar cases in North Wales over the past 12 months.

I assume by their actions that the police believe it is unlawful to occupy a second home during lockdown, which would seem to contradict Gwynedd Council’s position?

I suggest all second-homeowners in Gwynedd and beyond apply for a council tax rebate under Class G of the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992 for the periods that, due to the Welsh Government’s Covid-19regulations, they were unable to occupy their properties.

If the council refuses then this will have to be tested under a class-action with the Valuation Tribunal for Wales.

John Rees Moss Bala

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page