Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability presented the recommendation, which was referred to in the Executive report of 28 September 2021. Councillor Williamson said the council had reviewed its policy on charging for empty homes and evidence has shown that it has been successful and some homes had been brought back into use. The recommendation, if agreed, would increase the premium for homes left empty for five years to 200% and homes empty for ten years to 300%. He said that the other change recommended was that the liability premium would be suspended for 12 months when there was a change of ownership.

Councillor Williamson proposed that the recommendations in the Executive report be supported. Councillor Pope seconded the proposal.  

Councillor Goldspink confirmed that the Liberal Democrat Group were happy to support the recommendation.

Councillor Andrews said he was concerned about the dispensation on the premium for new owners and hoped that this would not encourage sales of convenience.

Councillor Williamson said the department would give consideration of that issue when implementing the policy.

Councillor Wilson said that he agreed with the recommendation. Government figures showed there were 268,000 empty homes in the UK and if those homes could be brought back into use then fewer new homes would need to be built.

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded, was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, it was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED ­- That an increase in the Long Term Empty Premium from April 2022 be agreed, including the discretion to remove the premium for up to 12 months when new owners occupy within 12 months of purchase.

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability presented a report on the Council Tax Long Term Empty Premium. He said that the Council had decided to charge premiums on long term empty homes as they were encouraged to do so by the government. The charge was not designed to create revenue but as an incentive for owners to bring the house back into use. As a further incentive, the proposal was to bring in higher rates as follows: properties that have been empty for over two years but under five at 100%, over five years but under ten years at 200% and ten years plus at 300%. Alongside this, the other change to the policy was that once a long term empty property has been sold, the new owners can have liability of the premium deferred for 12 months if they are not able to move in straightaway, but occupy the property within 12 months.

Councillor Williamson proposed and Councillor Kaye seconded a motion supporting the recommendation in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - to recommend to Council the increase of the Long Term Empty Premium from April 2022, including the discretion to remove the premium for up to 12 months when new owners occupy within 12 months of purchase.