English: Diolch. I welcome the opportunity to bring forward these regulations today. The Council Tax (Long-term Empty Dwellings and Dwellings Occupied Periodically) (Wales) Regulations 2022 increase the maximum level at which local authorities can set council tax premiums on dwellings occupied periodically - more commonly referred to as second homes - and on long-term empty properties, from 100 per cent to 300 per cent. The measures are part of a wider commitment to address the issue of second homes and unaffordable housing facing many communities, as set out in the co-operation agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. Last summer, we consulted on local taxes for second homes and self-catering accommodation. This was one aspect of the Welsh Government's three-pronged approach to address issues of affordability and the impact that large numbers of second homes and holiday lets can have on communities and the Welsh language. The consultation formed part of a review of the current local tax legislation. We sought views and evidence from individuals and organisations on the discretionary powers that allow local authorities to levy a higher rate of council tax on second homes and long-term empty properties. We received almost 1,000 responses, reflecting a wide spectrum of interest. The ability to charge additional council tax premiums has been welcomed as a mechanism that can help local authorities to mitigate the negative impacts that second homes and long-term empty properties can have on some communities. While many of the opportunities for addressing housing issues through premiums have not yet fully been realised, increasing the maximum level at this juncture will enable individual local authorities to decide a level appropriate for their local circumstances when the time is right for them. The powers come into effect from April 2023. Local authorities will be able to set the premium at any level up to the maximum, and they'll be able to apply different premiums to second homes and long-term empty dwellings. As now, it will be for individual authorities to decide whether to apply a premium and at what level to apply it. In making these decisions, each authority will need to make an assessment of the possible impacts on individuals, communities and the local economy. Local authorities should consult local people and home owners before introducing premiums, allowing a minimum period of 12 months between making its first determination to introduce a premium and the financial year in which it takes effect. I ask Members to approve these regulations today.
Welsh: Diolch. Rwy'n croesawu'r cyfle i gyflwyno'r rheoliadau hyn heddiw. Mae Rheoliadau'r Dreth Gyngor (Anheddau Gwag Hirdymor ac Anheddau a Feddiennir yn Gyfnodol) (Cymru) 2022 yn cynyddu'r lefel uchaf y gall awdurdodau lleol bennu premiymau'r dreth gyngor ar anheddau a feddiennir yn gyfnodol - y cyfeirir atyn nhw yn fwy cyffredin fel ail gartrefi - ac ar eiddo gwag hirdymor, o 100 y cant i 300 y cant. Mae'r mesurau'n rhan o ymrwymiad ehangach i fynd i'r afael â phroblem ail gartrefi a thai nad ellir eu fforddio y mae llawer o gymunedau yn eu hwynebu, fel y nodir yn y cytundeb cydweithredu rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a Phlaid Cymru. Yr haf diwethaf, buom yn ymgynghori ar drethi lleol ar gyfer ail gartrefi a llety hunanarlwyo. Roedd hon yn un agwedd ar ddull tair elfen Llywodraeth Cymru o fynd i'r afael â phroblemau yn ymwneud ag eiddo fforddiadwy a'r effaith y gall nifer fawr o ail gartrefi a llety gwyliau ei chael ar gymunedau a'r iaith Gymraeg. Roedd yr ymgynghoriad yn rhan o adolygiad o'r ddeddfwriaeth dreth leol bresennol. Gofynnwyd am farn a thystiolaeth gan unigolion a sefydliadau ar y pwerau disgresiwn sy'n caniatáu i awdurdodau lleol godi cyfradd uwch o dreth gyngor ar ail gartrefi ac eiddo gwag hirdymor. Cawsom bron i 1,000 o ymatebion, a oedd yn adlewyrchu ystod eang o ddiddordeb. Mae'r gallu i godi premiymau treth gyngor ychwanegol wedi'i groesawu fel dull a all helpu awdurdodau lleol i liniaru'r effeithiau negyddol y gall ail gartrefi ac eiddo gwag hirdymor eu cael ar rai cymunedau. Er nad yw llawer o'r cyfleoedd i fynd i'r afael â materion tai drwy bremiymau wedi'u gwireddu'n llawn eto, bydd cynyddu'r lefel uchaf nawr yn galluogi awdurdodau lleol unigol i benderfynu ar lefel sy'n briodol ar gyfer eu hamgylchiadau lleol pan fydd yr amser yn iawn ar eu cyfer. Daw'r pwerau i rym o fis Ebrill 2023. Bydd awdurdodau lleol yn gallu gosod y premiwm ar unrhyw lefel hyd at yr uchafswm, a byddant yn gallu gosod premiymau gwahanol ar ail gartrefi ac anheddau gwag hirdymor. Nawr, mater i awdurdodau unigol fydd penderfynu a ddylid defnyddio premiwm ac ar ba lefel i'w osod. Wrth wneud y penderfyniadau hyn, bydd angen i bob awdurdod asesu'r effeithiau posibl ar unigolion, cymunedau a'r economi leol. Dylai awdurdodau lleol ymgynghori â phobl leol a pherchnogion cartrefi cyn cyflwyno premiymau, gan ganiatáu cyfnod o 12 mis o leiaf rhwng gwneud y penderfyniad cyntaf i gyflwyno premiwm a'r flwyddyn ariannol y mae'n dod i rym ynddi. Gofynnaf i'r Aelodau gymeradwyo'r rheoliadau hyn heddiw.