Issue - meetings

Report FSD19063

The Executive considered a proposal that a public consultation exercise be undertaken where it was recommended that the Empty Homes Premium be introduced from April 2020.

At the meeting of the ER&C PDS Committee on 30^th July, it had been proposed that the Council should apply the maximum premiums, although it was noted that the 300% extra for properties empty for more than ten years could only be applied from 2021/22 onwards, so a decision was not required for another year.

Additional information was circulated before the Executive’s meeting, on the potential additional income from applying the premium, the linking of empty periods and the additional collection costs of £59k.

The Executive was clear in their view that the recommendations should be approved as listed.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  A public consultation exercise is undertaken on the introduction of the Empty Homes Premium

(2)  The Authority recommends in the consultation document that the “Premium” be introduced from the financial year 2020/21 at the rate of 50% for properties empty longer than 2 years, increasing to 100% where the property has been empty for 5 years.