Proceeds collected from the second home council tax will give the likes of Tenby and surrounding communities a big boost towards worthwhile future projects, local councillors heard this week.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet member for finance, Clr. Bob Kilmister, met with members of Tenby Town Council ahead of their meeting on Tuesday night, to explain how the scheme will work, with plans for 50 per cent of the proceeds of the premium tax going towards community projects in areas affected most by second home-ownership.

Last week, PCC’s cabinet backed a proposal for how the money issued for community projects would be spread across the county, with 25 per cent to be allocated for a county-wide grant, and the remaining 75 per cent to be given to town and community councils, with the amount determined by the number of second homes in those areas.

Clr. Kilmister told councillors in Tenby that £1.95m in total had been raised by the scheme, with half set to go towards sustainable community projects and the other half towards affordable housing.

He said that a resort like Tenby itself would receive the biggest ‘slice of the pot’, receiving a boost of £83,692, which was fair as it was the area that had the greater amount of second homeowners.

Clr. Kilmister called it an ‘exciting scheme’ that was all about giving money back to communities to combat the effects of second home ownership, explaining how 25 per cent of the funds were also set to go into a central pot that could be bid for by any town and community council in the area as well.

He said that 2018-19 would be a trial period for the scheme and that those groups bidding for the extra 25 per cent funds would have to show that they had a ‘worthwhile sustainable’ project that had the full support of the community.

“Nowhere else in the UK is running this scheme, so we are trailblazers in Pembrokeshire for this project,” said Clr. Kilmister.

“I think we’ll have visitors from all over the UK to come and see what we’re doing here with this project, and to see how the blueprint works for it.

“Some town and community councils may wish to work together, but I’m excited for the scheme and want to see worthwhile projects happening across Pembrokeshire from this money.

“The positive effect this funding has on communities in Pembrokeshire could be substantial!”

Clr. Kilmister said that the likes of Tenby and Saundersfoot would do well out of the scheme, and other smaller councils in the county would receive bigger funding than they’ve seen before, with an area such as Carew set to receive £5,954, for example.

“An awful lot of community councils may only receive around £1,000 from the funding, but we set them the challenge to use the funds for very different schemes.

“PCC don’t spend a lot of money here in Tenby compared to some areas in the county, so this money is to help areas such as your resort to deal with the effect of second home ownership,” he said.

Clr. Kilmister explained that the documentation for the project was currently being signed off and the criteria for projects being drawn up.

He explained that a scoring system would be outlined to assist the sub-committee set up to oversee the scheme.

“Any group will be able to bid for this money, but their bid has to be worthwhile. All proposed projects will be scored, and if any don’t have the support of the community, then they are unlikely to pass the first hurdle.

“We welcome forward planning as it is most important to make sure that projects are sustainable,” continued Clr. Kilmister, explaining that he would next be embarking on roadshows to engage with other community councils across the county to explain more on how the scheme works and how to apply for the grant funding towards any projects they have in mnd.

He said that the scheme would be reviewed on an annual basis to assess it for mistakes, and that it would now go forward to be discussed by full council.

Clr. Laurence Blackhall welcomed all that was being done with the scheme, stating that he looked forward to worthwhile projects being put forward for the future.

Tenby county councillor for the north ward Michael Williams, who pushed for the council tax on second homes levy in Pembrokeshire, said he welcomed the opportunity that this fund has given to the local communities.

“It won’t compensate for the loss of homes for locals, but will go a little way to compensate, if the funding is used for the benefit of the local community,” he said.

“I hope that in the near future the percentage might be increased by 10 per cent which will result in an increase in available funds.”