A POWYS Councillor has criticised the council for “totalitarian practices” after a 75 percent increase on second home tax wasn’t included in the budget.

Glantwymyn Councillor Elwyn Vaughan is calling on Powys councillors to “stand up for democracy” and “for what is right”.

Cllr Vaughan is standing in opposition to the current budget proposals “in order to force the cabinet to bring back a revised budget which reflected the will of the council”.

In a county council meeting on 24 September 2020, Cllr Vaughan proposed a motion to increase the current second home premium to 75 percent. Cllr Bryn Davies seconded the motion.

The motion was voted on and accepted with 33 votes to 17, with one abstention.

Powys has around 1,262 second homes within the council tax list paying the then premium of 50 percent, which generates around £700,000.

By increasing the premium to 75 percent thus generating an extra £350,000.

Cllr Vaughan criticised Cllr Aled Davies, the Finance Portfolio Holder and Conservative Group Leader, after “he saw no sign of an increase on the second home premium”.

Cllr Vaughan said: “A motion was passed by full Council to increase the premium on second homes, however despite there being a clear will by Council, it’s perfectly clear that the portfolio holder is trying his utmost in sweeping it under the carpet, acting in a totalitarian manner, ignoring democracy.

“He was against it at full Council and can’t accept that he lost the argument and now is using underhand tactics and spurious claims to justify his actions.

“On the one hand the Conservatives want to clobber our residents with higher council tax at a time of inflation and huge pressures yet want to protect the wealthy.

“He tries to blame Welsh Government, when in reality Powys Council already have the necessary power. It’s being disingenuous, misleading and creating a false story to justify the excuse to ignore the will of Council.

“That is why I’m asking my fellow Independent Councillors to join with us and stand up for democracy, stand up for what is right, stand up for due process to be done, and vote against the budget as proposed in order to force the portfolio holder to respect the will of Council and bring back a revised budget.

“We cannot allow Powys to be seen as an anti democratic, unjust authority with authoritarian attitudes which ignores procedures at the political whim of the Conservatives. Do the right thing and stand united with us on this matter of principle.”

Cllr Aled Davies has been contacted for a comment.