Year 2, Week 46
Meetings, council tax on second homes, Local Place Plan, waste disposal, power of attorney and guardianship ...
Meeting, meetings, meetings
I’ve had a full week of meetings this week with meetings on every day except Friday and it’s the same this coming week. Most of these are not ward specific so nothing much to report here but I will mention a couple.
Nairn West and Suburban Community Council is meeting at 7pm on Monday night at the Community Centre and their agenda is here online.
I also have a Licensing Committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon which, unusually, is considering two contested short term let licence applications in the ward: at 37A Harbour Street in Nairn, and Cherry Tree Pod, 2 The Cottages in Littlemill.
Council tax on second homes
I have had some emails this week from people living elsewhere in the UK who are very aggrieved that they now have to pay 200% council tax on their second home. This has been introduced by the Council having been agreed last December and is allowed under new Scottish Government legislation which was agreed the day before by an overwhelming majority of MSPs with only one vote against.
The intent of this change is to increase the availability of housing for local people and it brings charging for second homes into line with long-term empty properties, which can already be subject to a 100% premium on the full rate of council tax. It’s estimated that this will also bring in an extra £5,000,000 a year of income to the council to spend on local services for us all.
How this new rate actually works is quite complicated and if this affects you then there are a number of “edge” cases so do talk to council officers if you are in any doubt.
Local Place Plan
The community consultation on the future land development of Nairn and Nairnshire and everyone’s vision for the future of the area continues and the final events are to be held next week:
Tuesday, 26th March - Nairn Community & Arts Centre, from 4pm to 8:30pm
Wednesday, 27th March - Nairn Dunbar Golf Course, from 1pm to 4pm
Wednesday, 27th March - Lethen Hall, Auldearn, from 4pm - 8:30pm
For those who can’t attend the online consultation survey is now also live until 14th April.
Disposing of waste
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has written to me about adverts appearing on social media from dodgy businesses offering to collect your waste at very reasonable prices. Things they warn you to look out for are:
Offer cheap or same day waste collection – if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Make sure you’re not pressured to decide.
Claim to be “SEPA insured” – SEPA do not provide insurance.
Claiming “waste is all recycled where it can be” – where are they taking the waste?
Don’t provide any way to contact them other than Direct Messaging.
SEPA has a web page here with more information.
Power of Attorney and Guardianship
Nairn CAB are holding an event from 2pm to 3:30pm on Thursday, 11th April to provide you with information about Power of Attorney and Guardianship i.e. what would happen if you lost the capacity to express your wishes for whatever reason.
To my mind this is something to think about now as you never know what’s around the corner. To book email bureau@nairncab.casonline.org.uk or phone 01167 456677.
Planning applications
The following new applications were logged since I last posted:
24/00792/FUL - Birken Brae, Ardclach, Nairn, IV12 5JE - Alterations and Extension
To find details search on the reference number on the planning portal where you can also find details on how to comment.