Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services and the Corporate Director of Resources which considered the outcomes of the consultation on the council’s policy in terms of empty homes discounts and the policy of applying 50% premium on properties which have been unoccupied and unfurnished for more than 2 years, where councils now have the power to:

a)            apply a maximum 100% premium on such properties (from April 2019) along with;

b)            apply a maximum 200% premium on properties which have been unoccupied and unfurnished for more than 5 years (from April 2020).

 (for copy see file of minutes).

Councillor Shaw in responding to a question from Councillor Wilkes advised that any funding generated from the proposals would form part of the council’s medium term financial plan income for 2020/21. He advised of the increase in staffing resources, and the number of empty properties brought back into use, and the initiatives being taken to help people who are homeless, vulnerable or living in poor conditions.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.