by Alan Smith

ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk

Those lucky enough to own a second home in Maidstone should perhaps be bracing themselves for a reduction or even total loss of their council tax discount.

At present, second homes that are furnished but unoccupied because the owner's main home is elsewhere are allowed a 10% discount.

Those whose homes are empty because they are temporarily required to live elsewhere, such as Armed Forces personnel posted abroad, can receive a 50% discount.

But such discounts along with others for single person occupancy or for those in receipt of specific benefits will all be up for review before next April, when the government imposes another round of cutbacks on local authorities.

At present, the government compensates the councils for the council tax discounts they offer, but that funding is to be slashed by around 10%.

Maidstone council leader Chris Garland (Con) said: "Our funding is to be reduced from £10.3m to £9m.

"We will have to reduce the discounts we give to bring that figure down."

One possibility is that the discount for empty properties might be reduced from six months to one month.

Cllr Garland said: "No decisions have yet been made. Proposals will be drawn up and put out to public consultation in September.

"But we will have to make changes in time for the start of the next financial year in April."