Issue - meetings

Report of the Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance

Purpose of report

To provide members with an update on the change in legislation to allow for a Council Tax premium of 100% on properties that are empty for 2 years or more and to seek a recommendation for Executive on the introduction of 100% Empty Homes Premium.    

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To note the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council.

1.2      To make a recommendation to Executive on the introduction of an Empty Homes Premium of 100% from 1 April 2019.

Resolved

(1)  That the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council be noted.

(2)  That Executive be recommended to introduce an Empty Homes Premium of 100% from 1 April 2019.

The Committee considered a report from the Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance, which provided an update on the change in legislation to allow for a Council Tax premium of 100% on properties that were  empty for 2 years or more, and a recommendation to Executive on the introduction of a 100% Empty Homes Premium. 

The Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance advised that from 1 April 2019, local authorities would be able to increase the Empty Homes Premium to 100% for properties that had been empty for two or more years. It was up to individual authorities to decide whether or not to implement the premium locally. 

In response to questions from the Committee regarding the implementation of the premium, the Interim Executive Director – Finance and Governance advised that the Council would notify any parties impacted by the increase prior to 1 April 2019, and local communities would be made aware of potential higher premiums through an advertising campaign.

Resolved

(1)  That the contents of the report and any financial implications for the Council be noted.

(2)  That Executive be recommended to introduce an Empty Homes Premium of 100% from 1 April 2019.