Agenda item

Report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods.

The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods presented a report which provided the group with a proposal to introduce an Empty Homes Strategy. The draft strategy highlighted how resources could be best utilised to target empty homes within the Borough that would provide positive outcomes, both financially for the Council and for the community as a whole.

The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods informed the group that around 900 properties had been identified as empty properties and around 375 of these had been empty for more than six months, while nearly 100 of these had been empty for more than two years. It is the long term empty homes which cause most concern as they are more likely to remain empty, without intervention, and are also likely to be an increasing source of concern and complaint.

The Executive Manger – Neighbourhoods added that Empty Homes are an increasing feature of Central Government Policy, which can be seen through both the New Homes Bonus and recent changes to Council Tax. The benefits of a strategy to deal with empty properties can:

·       Assist in meeting housing need;

·       Improve housing conditions;

·       Assist with a reduction in crime;

·       Regenerate blighted areas;

·       Increase Council Tax collection rates and empty homes premium;

·       Generate additional income through the New Homes Bonus (NHB).

The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods explained that additional resources would be required to fully implement the action plan and it was considered that initially this could be delivered with a part-time role working 2 to 3 days per week and advised that work is underway to explore if this could be achieved using existing internal resources that could be redirected to this area.

The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods also explained that there would be costs arising from enforcement action, however any such costs could be reclaimed through the appropriate legal process. He added that there are also opportunities to maximise income via the New Home Bonus (NHB), debt recovery and unclaimed sales income from Enforced Sales.

Members agreed in principle to the draft strategy and supported its development. The Group asked specific questions on what the Council deemed as an empty home, and whether this included commercial properties where there was living accommodation above, which is often left empty.

The Principal Officer - Environmental Protection advised that homes can be left empty for a number of reasons and part of the research behind the strategy is to identify properties that have been empty long term and work with the owners to identify a solution. He added that sometimes ownership of properties can be difficult to identify and there may also be lengthy legal processes to resolve the issue.

Members questioned what data sources were being used to assist in identifying an empty property and whether the council had access to credit checks and credit agencies. Members also advised if Town and Parish Councils could provide information as they often had the depth and Knowledge from local councillors and residents. The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods advised that the Council does not have access to credit agency data and that research is collected from the Council’s Council Tax data and the Utilities. In respect of Town and Parish Councils providing information this was welcomed by Officers.

It is RESOLVED that the report of the Executive Manger – Neighbourhoods endorse the draft Empty Home Strategy.