Second home owners in North Yorkshire could become the first in England to face a double council tax bill.
In what already sounds like a pretty groundbreaking move, North Yorkshire County Council is considering the introduction of a 100% council tax premium on second properties in the hugely-popular region, ITV reports.
It comes after local people, especially young families, expressed concerns that they are being priced-out of the housing market.
In a report to the Council's executive, which is set to be discussed at a meeting today (Tuesday 20 September), it was explained that second home ownership within the North Yorkshire area is "significant" and is "recognised to have a negative impact" in terms of the supply of homes available in order to meet local housing need.
The report explained that the proposed new council tax levy would apply to properties that are left empty for more than a year.
It's believed it could generate £14 million in revenue, the report said.
North Yorkshire County Council is considering introducing a 100% council tax premium / Credit: Toa Heftiba (via Unsplash)
The report being discussed in today's meeting follows a recommendation by the Rural Commission last year to place a charge on second homes to finance affordable housing, and comes after people in the North Yorkshire costal tourist town of Whitby voted in favour of new measures to reduce the number of homes being used for holiday accommodation.
It's not the first time double council tax has been proposed in the region though, as a decision about a second homes premium was once postponed after some Council members said it could encourage council tax avoidance.
Others also said the measure would be difficult to implement - but it seems the Council is hoping it'll be better received this time round.
It would become the first county in England to introduce the charge / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Similar measures introduced in Wales have been cited for reasoning as to how it could work.
"The second homes figures in Wales suggest that, regardless of any avoidance issues that might remain within the system, there should still be sufficient incentive for the council to consider a council tax premium on second homes in order to help address the issues caused by second home ownership within the area," the report reads.
Could it actually become a reality then? And could this be the start of second home council tax premiums in other counties? If approved, the measure would be introduced in North Yorkshire from April 2024.
One of Leeds' longest-running pub will be closing.
The Cross Keys in Holbeck is a lovely little boozer.
And it's got a fair bit of history too. Dating back to the early 1800s, the pub has stood on Water Lane for more than two centuries, with its story closely tied to Holbeck's industrial past.
Back when the area was one of Leeds' major manufacturing hubs, the Cross Keys was a local drinking spot for workers from the surrounding foundries and engineering works.
The pub itself fell into disrepair and was abandoned in 1980s, before being brought back to life during a major restoration in the 2000s.
But now, The Cross Keys is closing once again.
Images: The Cross Keys
Announcing the sad news to Instagram, the pub said: "It's with a heavy heart that we share the Cross Key's will be closing its doors on the 3rd of October.
"The whole team thank you for your support during our time in business."
In classic Leeds fashion, the comments were flooded with support from fans of the pub alongside fellow local businesses.
One comment reads: "Absolutely gutted about this. I held my fiance (now husband’s) 30th at The Cross Keys and it was excellent and the team were so helpful and hospitable. So sad to hear this."
Whilst another said: "Gutted, the home of some great memories and significant pints in my life."
So, if you've had a significant pint in The Cross Keys and wish to bid it a proper farewell, you've got until Saturday 3 October to do so.
We’re In Love (Actually) at Lawrence Batley Theatre – romance is actually around each and every one of us | Review
Declan Kelly
Love is so much more than a rental Rom-Com movie.
Before heading off to Goole, we managed to catch We're In Love (Actually) stop off at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield on Thursday 24 September, giving audiences the chance to experience the latest work from Dark Horse as a northern-based theatre group.
If you don’t know much about Dark Horse Theatre Company, then I guess it’s time to find out.
The company shines a light on brilliant creatives with learning disabilities, challenging perceptions while giving its actors the opportunity to showcase exactly what they can do. Dark Horse premieres original work created by an ensemble of nine actors and theatre makers, while also providing vocational training to help actors with learning disabilities develop their skills and prepare for the industry.
Image: Supplied
And what better way to showcase that creativity than with a hilarious, heartwarming and wonderfully nostalgic love letter to the rom-com?
Set inside a video store on its opening day, We’re In Love (Actually) sees the staff quickly realise that their customers only seem to want one thing: romance films. The problem? There aren't any.
So, naturally, they decide to make their own.
From the moment the lights go up, the production transports us back to the nostalgia of video stores, where choosing a film was once an event in itself. The set creates that familiar Blockbuster feeling, with a huge screen hanging above the stage that helps transform the video store into a live film set.
And this small-scale production has a surprisingly huge creative pull. The staff begin piecing together their own romance film, taking inspiration from Titanic and Romeo and Juliet to Notting Hill, Love Actually and Pride and Prejudice.
Image: Supplied
The multimedia is one of the production's biggest strengths. Mark Craven live films many of the romance scenes on stage, with the action projected onto the screen above in real time.
It’s such a simple technique, but it makes the production feel so much bigger than its scale. Watching the actors create these cinematic moments while simultaneously seeing them appear on screen gives the show a real theatrical edge. There’s even a touch of Katie Mitchell in the way live performance and filmmaking are brought together, and honestly, it feels like the sort of inventive technique that wouldn’t look out of place on the National Theatre stage.
But we aren't just watching it happen - we're part of it.
From singing along to Céline Dion to playing a game of finding a movie star from the audience, the production constantly breaks the fourth wall and brings everyone into the story.
Image: Supplied
And this only adds another layer of comedy.
The cast have a brilliant sense of comic timing, with the character dynamics creating plenty of laughs throughout. Juliet, played by Rebekah Hill, is a particular standout, leading the ensemble with plenty of personality and leading lady talent. One of the highlights for me was her singing, getting the audience involved to then suddenly declare, “Just me, now”, is something that had me belly laughing.
One of my favourite moments is actually one of the simplest. The cast begin naming off romance films, only for Eve, played by Meghan Denton, to shoot them all down because apparently nobody wants to watch romance films.
And it got me thinking: are these sorts of films becoming dated? Do they give us false representations of what love actually is? We see a love story within this production between Rebekah Hill's character Juliet and Joe Sproulle’s Leo, and honestly I ship every moment.
But the question sits underneath the comedy throughout the production around the idea of love.
Then comes the second act, which kicks off with a full The Full Monty number - and what a way to start.
The production continues its journey through Notting Hill, Love Actually and Pride and Prejudice, before giving us the obligatory love triangle, because what would a rom-com be without one?
Image: Supplied
Rob, played by Mark Craven, gets his own Love Actually-inspired moment with the iconic handwritten signs for Juliet, and it’s exactly the kind of cheesy romantic moment you want from a production like this.
But underneath all the jokes, film references and romance anthems, there’s a much bigger message.
Towards the end, Eve begins to question the idea of love we so often see portrayed on screen. Because, actually, those perfect cinematic romances aren't always what love looks like in real life.
Love can come in all different forms. It can be romantic, but it can also be platonic. It can be found in family, friendship, community and in the people around us.
Romance is actually around each and every one of us - and that feels like the perfect message for this production.
But with Dark Horse behind it, there’s another layer that makes the whole thing feel even more important. It gives a group of actors who you might not always see taking centre stage the opportunity to lead a production, showcase their talents and, quite simply, have a bloody good time doing it.
And you know what? It’s pure joy.
Every actor who graces that stage deserves their flowers, and this production genuinely left me wanting more.
I think this is a production everyone needs to see. It shines such a bright light on the incredible talent on that stage, and it’s exactly the sort of work regional theatres such as Leeds Playhouse should be looking at when programming their seasons.
Representation, and more importantly visible representation, is beyond important. Seeing actors with learning disabilities leading a production, making an audience laugh and completely owning the stage shouldn’t feel like a rarity, it should be something we see far more often.
We’re In Love (Actually) doesn’t just give these actors a platform; it gives them the space to completely own it.
Showing at Goole Junction on 30 September - 1 October, tickets are available here.
Emily Sergeant -
20th September 2022 
