Stepped increases in council tax premiums, rising to 300 per cent on long-term empty properties that have been empty for 10 years or more, have been supported by the majority of Powys councillors.

A Powys County Council meeting on 8 October agreed to introducing incremental increases to council tax on long-term empty properties from April next year.

It will see properties that have been “continuously empty” for between one year and five years remain at the 100 per cent premium level.

For those “continuously empty” for between five and 10 years, a 200 per cent premium would apply.

Properties “continuously empty” for 10 years or more would be subject to a 300 per cent premium.

The meeting heard there are currently 897 long-term empty properties in Powys, down from 1,060 eight years ago before council tax premiums were introduced.

The Liberal Democrat/Labour cabinet supported the move last month and recommended that full council approve the proposal.

Finance portfolio holder Cllr David Thomas believed the drop in numbers supported the theory that an incremental rise would see owners “dispose of the properties and bring them back onto the market at a faster rate.”

“This is working to reduce homelessness in the county, which has to be a positive thing,” he said.

Deputy council leader Cllr Matthew Dorrance said: “How do we serve the public when we have hundreds if not thousands waiting for accommodation, children in B&Bs, all the while properties sit empty.

“This policy is fair, there is dispensation and relief built into the process, so it doesn’t become punitive and we don’t persecute people.

“I don’t think it’s fair that people languish on waiting lists while there are properties that sit empty that could be providing safe homes for the people we serve.”