Madam,

So another holiday home-owner has written to complain about the rise in council tax for second home owners - what a shame for them, I’m heartbroken. They may not consider themselves ‘rich English’, but they’re obviously well off enough to afford not one, but two houses. Ceredigion is full of people who can barely afford to pay the council tax on the house they rent, let alone afford to buy one of their own. Yes, perhaps when the second home owners sell up the person who moves in may be poor, may be disabled, may be on benefits or simply not as well off as them, but that’s good. There is a shortage of homes in rural areas, a shortage of affordable housing, a shortage of social housing. There is more to be gained from second home-owners selling up than the basic economics of them staying and spending money in the area. These people should count their blessings that this is their biggest complaint. Perhaps they could spend some of the time and money they will be saving if not holidaying in the area by helping out some local charities.

Yours etc

Rhian Skalka

Pentre Isaf

Llanrhystud.