WEST Devon Borough Council will decide next week whether it should make second home-owners pay more council tax.

At its meeting on Tuesday, councillors are being recommended to reduce the discount for second homes ? of which there are approximately 320 in the borough ? from 50% to 10% with effect from April 1 this year.

If the council agrees, the move will generate an income of around £139,000 which will be shared between the relevant authorities including West Devon Borough Council, Devon County Council, the Devon Fire Authority and Devon and Cornwall Police Authority. The borough council would expect to receive an estimated £17,000.