Cash pours in from Bamburgh holiday let owners after council asks for donations to help fund services
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Bamburgh Parish Council sent out a letter to every commercial let in 2019 asking for a £25 donation towards its council tax precept, and it raised over £1,000.
And the authority has done the same again this year, almost reaching the same sum already.
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Hide AdClerk Dorothy Scott said: “We resent a letter out to holiday and second homes asking for an additional payment towards the precept. That went out about three weeks ago.
“Up to now we’ve had £987 in. Some people have already set up direct debits and standing orders but we’ve also had quite a number of new people coming on board. The donations have ranged from £25 to £150 so it’s been a very worthwhile exercise.”
Neighbouring parish councils including North Sunderland, Beadnell, Embleton and Alnmouth are exploring similar models.
Across the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), about 45% of houses are second homes/holiday homes.
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Hide AdFive years ago, an AONB survey revealed the extent of holiday home domination in some communities, with Newton-by-the-Sea at 82 per cent, Beadnell at 80% and Bamburgh at 53%
Holiday home owners who have a second home for personal use that is not a commercial venture need to pay council tax.
However, for those who make their holiday home available to rent for short periods over 20 weeks or more in a year (140 days), should be registered for business rate property tax rather than paying council tax.