THE council tax discounts received by second homeowners in Warwickshire could be slashed from 50 per cent to 10.

Bidford and county councillors Peter Barnes and Daren Pemberton for the Liberal Democrats attended a meeting at Stratford District Council last month and supported the notice of motion put forward by members regarding the council tax.

The proposal made by Liberal democrats comes after the finance minster Andy Kerr announced last year that councils could now have the power to set their own discount rate at anywhere between 10 per cent and 50 per cent.

He said cutting the discount rate could bring in extra money for councils each year, which would mean additional money will be used to build social housing in areas.

Liberal democrat councillor Jerry Roodhouse suggested the government support the principle of reducing the council tax discount for second homes in Warwickshire from 50 to 10 per cent.

If the district and county councils accept the proposal then the two authorities will be able to retain the discount within their entire area.

Cllr Barnes said: "The reduction in the amount of council tax discount would mean the authorities would bring in revenue of more or less £180,000 a year and that money would then be used to create affordable property in Warwickshire in areas where it's needed."

The proposal is set to be put to the council next month when the government decides to reconsider the budget for the council tax in February.

Councillor Kim James from the Independent party said: "This is in line with the way many councils are going at the moment to address the problems of housing. The reduction for second homeowners is needed to address the problem we're having in providing affordable housing for people in Warwickshire."

Leader of the council Alan Farnell, from Warwickshire County Council, said: "We fully support the proposal for a reduction in the council tax discount for second homeowners." The proposal will be considered at the budget meeting next month."