Latest news with #GrahamWallace
The Guardian
20-05-2025
- The Guardian
A downward spiral and a hunting harrier – readers' best photographs
'An aerial view of a half-frozen Pangong Tso, an endorheic lake spanning eastern Ladakh and west Tibet.' Photograph: Matt Hunt 'A cormorant basking in the morning sun.' Photograph: Allan Charter 'Two fishers at sunrise. The annual salmon run was in full swing near the Simms Creek and beach fishing by human fishers was as well. I was so focused on the fisher that only after seeing the photo did I notice the heron.' Photograph: Graham Wallace 'I thought the early roses against the bright blue sky made for a stunning burst of colour.' Photograph: Helena Gardiner 'A northern harrier glides low over grassland hunting for food at Duck Marsh Preserve in Pomfret.' Photograph: Nancy L Barrett 'Filling time waiting for our taxi to the airport from the very photogenic Hotel Magnolia.' Photograph: John Main 'Back at the beginning of the month, the tidal range was quite high and here at the marine pool the built-up causeway creates a bridge that is used as a shortcut. But in another hour, the incoming tide will start to flow over this manmade dam and into the pool, and will eventually start to cover the safety railings.' Photograph: Peter Norton 'Nesting kittiwakes at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. I came to see the art and then discovered a viewing platform looking on to the birds nesting on the ledges.' Photograph: Karen Rollison Photograph: Greg Curran 'The 'cheese grater' car park, beautifully reflected by a nearby building.' Photograph: Alex Flynn 'Crystal Palace fans marching through Leicester Square on Saturday 26 April, just hours before beating Aston Villa 3-0 in the FA Cup semi-final.' Photograph: Sebastian Kettley 'Taken on the Staten Island ferry on a grey day.' Photograph: Alexandra Ashby 'This lovely young deer is a regular visitor to my garden. He's usually alone, possibly an orphan, but hopefully resourceful enough to survive.' Photograph: Tamara Lucatz 'My eye was caught by the orange of the bee, vivid against the bluebell.' Photograph: Sue Norton 'A fabulous tree at Woburn Abbey pictured through an arch.' Photograph: Antony O'Brien
STV News
05-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Second homes tax poses 'serious risk' to Millport's economy, islanders say
A second homes tax could pose a 'serious risk' to the Cumbrae island economy, according to the local community. North Ayrshire Council is reconsidering its plans to bring a double council tax on second homes following backlash from the Cumbrae Community Council. 'Our community is extremely concerned that the impacts of this policy disproportionately impact Cumbrae,' Graham Wallace, advisor to Cumbrae Community Council, said. 'This is a cynical cash grab by North Ayrshire Council that will lead to vacant properties on our island that nobody wants. It will directly reduce vital income into our local economy.' Back in February, North Ayrshire Council voted to double the council tax for second homes from April 1, 2025, bringing it into line with almost all other Scottish local authorities. However, those plans are now under review. The council opened up a consultation to review the double council tax charges on second homes following the Cumbrae Community Council's challenge at the end of April. North Ayrshire Council previously argued that the aim was to increase the availability of housing by encouraging more homes to be used for living in, rather than lying empty for long periods. However, the community of Millport – the town on Cumbrae – has argued that the second home council tax 'disproportionately' impacts the island's 'fragile' economy and housing balance. 'The type of properties that will be forced onto the market are not the ones permanent residents want,' Mr Wallace said. 'They are small flats in old buildings which are expensive to heat in the winter. We're calling for a proper plan, including a detailed study into Cumbrae's second homes, and a programme to make them fit for permanent occupation —rather than driving people and investment away.' The local community council has claimed that the new tax could strip £500,000 annually from the island's economy, which generates approximately £12.9m per year. 'Given the island's reliance on tourism and part-time residents, this poses a serious risk to local jobs, services, and community stability,' a spokesperson from the Cumbrae Community Council said. Despite a population of just 1,262, Cumbrae accounts for 30% of all second homes in North Ayrshire, which has a population of 133,413. According to the Cumbrae Community Council, that means the per capita impact on the island will be '74 times greater than on the mainland'. The community council is calling for residents, visitors and businesses to contribute to the consultation which closes on Tuesday May 20, 2025. North Ayrshire Council has been contacted for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
05-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Scottish island community council attacks 'cynical' second homes tax
The Cumbrae Community Council, which represents residents of Great Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde, claimed that the policy was a 'cynical cash grab' that would disproportionately and negatively affect the island. North Ayrshire Council, the island's local authority, brought in a 100% premium on council tax bills for second homes from April 1, 2025. Most other Scottish councils, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, do the same. But Cumbrae Community Council has argued that it has a unique housing situation and the policy does not work there as it does on the mainland, claiming the policy could 'strip £500,000 annually from the island's economy'. READ MORE: 'Housing is a human right': MSPs back tax increase on second homes in Scotland 'Our community is extremely concerned that the impacts of this policy disproportionately impact Cumbrae', Graham Wallace, an advisor to Cumbrae Community Council, said. 'This is a cynical cash grab by North Ayrshire Council that will lead to vacant properties on our island that nobody wants. It will directly reduce vital income into our local economy. 'The type of properties that will be forced onto the market are not the ones permanent residents want. They are small flats in old buildings which are expensive to heat in the winter. 'We're calling for a proper plan, including a detailed study into Cumbrae's second homes, and a programme to make them fit for permanent occupation – rather than driving people and investment away.' The community council pointed to figures which it said showed that 'despite a population of just 1262, Cumbrae accounts for 30% of all second homes in North Ayrshire – compared to 37% on the mainland, which has a vastly larger population of 133,413'. It added: 'This means the per capita impact on Cumbrae will be 74 times greater than on the mainland.' North Ayrshire Council announced at the end of April that it would run an Island Community Impact Assessment (ICIA) after an application for one was put in with regards to the 100% premium on second homes' council tax. It said at the time: 'The application for review is made on the grounds that the applicant considers that North Ayrshire Council, in making its decision, has failed to assess the extent to which North Ayrshire Council considers that the policy, strategy or service (as the case may be) can be developed or delivered in such a manner as to improve or mitigate, for island communities, the outcomes resulting from it.' It added that 'any person may make written representations' to the review by emailing legalpostbox@ or by writing to Head of Democratic Services, North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Friarscroft, Irvine, KA12 8EE by May 20. Cumbrae Community Council urged people to write to oppose the council tax hike for second homes. When the tax hike was announced, councillor Christina Larsen, the cabinet member for finance, said it was with "the aim of helping to increase the availability of housing by encouraging more homes to be used for living in, rather than lying empty for long periods". "We will continue to monitor how the scheme develops and consider any adjustments as necessary," she added. North Ayrshire Council has been approached for comment.
