Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability submitted a report proposing changes to the Council Tax long term empty homes premiums from April 2020.  He said since 2013 local authorities had been given the power to increase council tax on some long term empty properties by increasing the Council Tax charge by up to 50%.  Legislation had subsequently come into effect to apply a maximum premium at higher rates.  A range of options was available to authorities, depending on the duration of the property being left empty.  The report invited the Executive to consider such options and recommend the option which had been identified for Council’s approval.  The preferred option was to increase the premium only to the next tier, so that the impact on re-occupation of the District’s empty homes could be reviewed.

Councillor G Williamson read from a statement submitted by Councillor P Boylan, in relation to implications for the Neighbourhoods Executive portfolio.  Councillor Boylan’s statement referred to the need to use other options to encourage the owners of such properties to bring them back into use, including measures such as certifying owner’s works to properties for reduced VAT liability on works from 20% to 5%.  Members were encouraged to work with the Housing and Health team so that owners of properties which could potentially be affected could receive practical advice. 

Councillor G Williamson proposed, and Councillor G Cutting seconded, a motion to support the recommendations detailed in the report.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RECOMMENDED – that for Long Term Empty homes a Council Tax premium of 100% be approved.