Decision details

To agree the empty homes premium, second homes premium, discounts and policies

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet recommends to Council that:

1.     The empty homes premium, as detailed in Section 3 of the report, remain unchanged.

2.     That the extension of the Empty Homes Premium, as detailed in Section 4 of the report, be approved.

3.     That the introduction of a second homes premium if 100%, as detailed in Section 4 of the report, be approved.

4.     That the removal of the council tax discount for properties in Prescribed Class D, as detailed in Section 5 of the report, be approved.

5.     That the updated policies, as detailed in Section 6 of the report, be approved.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Finance, Investment and Corporate Services.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the item and reported that the recommendations contained in the report were put to Cabinet by the Council Tax Reduction Task and Finish Group on Council Tax Empty Homes Premium, a premium on second homes, council tax discounts and three Revenue and Benefits Policies.

The Empty Homes premium sought to bring social housing stock back into use as quickly and efficiently as possible. The primary focus was to get those who required social housing into available homes as soon as possible. The Queen’s speech in May 2022 included a Levelling Up and Regeneration bill that proposed to give local authorities discretion to address second homes and to extend their exiting provision in relation to empty homes.  The Task and Finish Group considered the proposals and recommended that a second homes premium be introduced of 100% and that a 100% empty homes premium apply when a property had been empty for more than one year.  The two premiums are subject to legislation being implemented. Should Royal Assent be received prior to 31 March 2023, the council could apply these new proposals from 1 April 2024. The upcoming change, following the annual review, was the removal of the Prescribed Class D Council Tax band discount. Three policies contained within the review had also been updated. These included the debt collection and recovery policy, the discretionary housing payment policy and the exceptional hardship policy.

The Portfolio Holder explained that he had initial concerns regarding recommendation d) of the Task and Finish Group’s. Cabinet was reassured, however, that following consultation with Officers, the Portfolio Holder was now supportive of all the recommendations that were proposed by the Task and Finish Group and presented to Cabinet.