Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).

The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) presented the report on Council Tax Premium for Long-Term Empty Properties Directly Impacted by COVID-19.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Digital, Councillor C A Vinson, explained the policy intent behind the report and acknowledged that Councillor T A Bond’s raising of this issue on behalf of one of his constituents had caused the Council to look further into this matter. Councillor C A Vinson thanked officers and Civica for their assistance in finding a way in which this support could be delivered.

Members welcomed the proposal as a way of bringing long term empty properties back into occupancy.

RESOLVED:       That it be recommended to the Cabinet that the recommendations as set out in the report, and in Cabinet Decision CAB5, be agreed as follows:

That, using powers of discretion afforded by Section 13A 1(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended by the Local Government Finance Act 2012), a reduction in the additional Council Tax premium charged on properties empty for over 5 years, from 200% to 100%, for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2020, be approved. This is provided the property is occupied by 30 September 2020, and subject to individual Council Tax-payers meeting the eligibility and qualification criteria set out in paragraphs 9 and 10 of the report and complying with the application process, evidential requirements and award conditions set out in paragraphs 8, 11 and 12 of the report.

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Digital

It was agreed that, using powers of discretion afforded by Section 13A 1(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended by the Local Government Finance Act 2012), a reduction in the additional Council Tax premium charged on properties empty for over 5 years, from 200% to 100%, for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2020, be approved.  This is provided the property is occupied by 30 September 2020, and subject to individual Council Tax-payers meeting the eligibility and qualification criteria set out in paragraphs 9 and 10 of the report and complying with the application process, evidential requirements and award conditions set out in paragraphs 8, 11 and 12 of the report.