WITH reference to the report by David Rutland in the Visitor, dated August 27, concerning council tax payable by owners of static caravans, I would like to give my opinion on the matter. I have owned a static caravan for the past seven years, purely as a holiday retreat, on a site containing about 200 vans, all privately owned. Of these, some 15 (7.5%) are lived in throughout the 10-and-a-half month season. Myself and the other owners use our vans for get-away breaks during the summer months. I myself occupy mine for possibly 3-4 months, with breaks at my home for medical treatment and other needs. If we have to start paying council tax in similar amounts as we pay for our homes, in addition to the ever-increasing site rentals we pay, then our vans will be beyond our financial budgets as pensioners. This will mean that we will no longer be coming to Wales and the “thriving holiday destination” will lose the money we spend while here. I would also add that during the seven years of my time on site, I have seen only two council controlled vehicles and personnel here – one ambulance and one fire engine – which could be called out by any holidaymaker, whether in a caravan or a five-star hotel anywhere in the UK. All other services, like rubbish removal etc, is paid for by the site owners from our site rental. A BULL Staffordshire WITH regard to Mr Rutland’s article about caravan owners living on the site and having bus passes and rent rebate, where do they think this money comes from? Off the people who pay council tax – something they think they do not have to pay. As regards to them staying in the area during the winter makes it more likely for them to pay council tax as they are obviously not registered with any other council. My personal opinion is that if caravans are classed as a holiday home, they should only be used in the summer and cut the season down to what it used to be, eight months. Being in the holiday trade myself for 20 years, when the season was extended to 10-and-a-half months, I saw a rapid decline in trade because of people living in vans. They don’t use holiday facilities such as arcades, cafés, souvenir shops, the such like, these people depend on what they make in the summer to see them through the winter. Quite a lot of these people go abroad for the winter, whereas a lot of people who have worked hard all summer can’t afford holidays because trade is so poor. MRS F M WYERS Llys Edward, Gronant I OWN a caravan on Prestatyn coast, I do not live in it but I do come to Wales from Manchester every weekend. I pay £2,500 per year site fees and £500 rates. This I no doubt will go up again this year. I also pay gas and electricity plus petrol money to come to Wales, all of which is becoming more and more expensive. I contribute to the local economy by doing my shopping, entertainment etc. I do not claim anything at all. If I was ill then no doubt I would go to the local doctor, but then, as a 62-year-old lady who has worked all my life, I think I am entitled to claim health care. Does Bob Squire understand that many of us will not be able to afford to pay council tax as well as rates and I myself, along with many others, would have to give up my caravan. Tax the people who live in them permanently but leave us alone unless you wish to devastate the local economy. More caravan owners come to North Wales than holiday visitors, and remember, we come for 10 months of the year and not just two weeks. Mrs A Clarke Manchester REGARDING the above named subject in last week's Visitor, both my wife and myself agree emphatically that static caravan owners should be paying council tax. GPs should also be told to be more aware of these people living here in the county in temporary homes and appropriate questions should be asked at the time of registration. We feel and have felt for some time, that there has been a great deal of slackness in the way the Conwy Borough Council has dealt with the above, as they did with the bus passes. We are pleased to note that the Welsh Assembly is now applying for a Legislative Competency Order – the sooner the better. John W & Margaret G Jones Lon Caradog, Abergele | 
