Members of SHOUT (Second Homeowners Opposed to Unfair Taxation) delivered the petition to the council on Friday. North Yorkshire Council introduced the 100 per cent council tax premium on second homes in April 2025 in a bid to help tackle the county’s housing shortage and encourage more properties to become permanently occupied. SHOUT also argues the extra council tax has reduced spending in local communities, with owners of cafés, bars, restaurants and shops among those signing the petition after experiencing a decline in trade. The petition calls on North Yorkshire Council to suspend the premium until a full consultation has been completed and to refund the additional council tax paid by second-home owners during the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years. North Yorkshire Council voted to keep its 100 per cent council tax premium on second homes in April, a year after first introducing the policy.