Issue - meetings

Report CSD19135

At its special meeting on 2^nd August 2019 the Executive considered a report on the Empty Homes Premium. The report had previously been scrutinised by this Committee at its special meeting on 30^th July 2019. The Executive decided to approve the proposals as recommended in the report, rather than as amended by this Committee, and the decision had been called in by Councillors Angela Wilkins, Ian Dunn, Kathy Bance, Kevin Brooks, Simon Jeal, Vanessa Allen and Josh King. The PDS Committee was requested to consider what action should be taken in response to the call-in of this decision.

Councillor Ian Dunn moved the following motion:

That the decision and recommendations made by this Committee on 30 July 2019, be referred back to the Executive on 18^th September 2019 giving reasons why the decision should be reconsidered.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Angela Wilkins.

Councillor Dunn spoke to the motion explaining that the Committee had voted to change the recommendation to the Executive requiring that the maximum premium be applied.  The minutes from the Executive meeting had provided no detail as to why the PDS Committee’s recommendation had been rejected.  It was suggested that there were two key factors to consider:

1. The Local Authority was facing a serious budget gap over the coming years and for this reason the full entitlement should be taken up.

2. There was significant housing stress over London and the South East of England and anything that reduces the number of empty properties should be encouraged.

It was also noted that no additional material information had been provided which would alter the previous recommendation to Executive.

The Chairman suggested that the decision of the Executive should be implement for a 12 month period with the outcome of the trial period reported back to the ERC PDS Committee. 

Whilst acknowledging there was a need to bring empty properties into use, a Member expressed concern that some people could accidently get caught up in higher costs and that there needed to be a balance.

Following a vote it was agreed by majority that no further action on the call in be taken and that a progress report concerning the Empty Homes Premium be presented to the Committee in 12 months.

(Councillors Wells, Dykes, and Bennington requested that their abstention be recorded)

RESOLVED: That

1. No further action be taken be taken in respect of the Call-in; and

2. The Committee be provided with a progress report concerning the Empty Homes Premium in 12 months.