Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member Finance

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report and explained that in December 2012 Council used its new discretionary powers to set the level of council tax discount awarded in respect of certain categories of empty properties which had previously been fully exempt. These new powers provided an opportunity to reduce the level of discounts as a measure to help bring empty properties back in to use and to increase council tax income. The policy had now been in place for a period of two financial years.

He explained that officers had been working with other districts to review the current levels in place and it was now being proposed to change the level of class C properties to 25 % for the first 6 month period after a property becomes unoccupied and substantially unfurnished, instead of 100 % for the first month and 25 % for the following 5 months.  It was hoped that this proposal would reduce the potential for dispute between landlord and tenant and generate additional income.

He indicated that the recommendations had been supported by the Budget Scrutiny Working Group.

A Member asked whether the Cabinet Member had considered giving no discount for Class D properties.

The Cabinet Member explained the rationale behind the 25% discount for up to 12 months which acknowledged the fact that landlords were not necessarily able to fill empty properties immediately. It also made sense for this council's policy to be broadly in line with other authorities in Gloucestershire.

Having declared an interest as a landlord, Councillor Seacome echoed this view and said in his experience a landlord could expect to rent a property on average for 10 months out of the year every year.

A Member suggested that there may be special cases where people may have been left an empty property by a family Member and they are not in the same position as a social landlord. In response the Cabinet Member said there were a number of concessions and exemptions which would cover this situation.

Upon a vote it was

RESOLVED (with 1 abstention from Councillor Seacome) that;

1.    The level of discount for class C empty properties be set at 25% for the first months.

2.    6 weeks as the minimum required period of re-occupation before further empty property discounts apply, be confirmed. 

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

RESOLVED THAT

Council be recommended to

1.    Set the level of discount for class C empty properties at 25% for the first 6 months

2.    Confirm 6 weeks as the minimum required period of re-occupation before a further empty property discount will apply

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report and explained that in December 2012 Council used its new discretionary powers to set the level of council tax discount awarded in respect of certain categories of empty properties which had previously been fully exempt. These new powers provided an opportunity to reduce the level of discounts as a measure to help bring empty properties back in to use and to increase council tax income. The policy had now been in place for a period of two financial years.

He explained that office ers had been working with other districts to review the current levels in place and it was now being proposed to change the level of class C properties to 25 % for the first 6 month period after a property becomes unoccupied and substantially unfurnished, instead of 100 % for the first month and 25 % for the following 5 months.  It was hoped that this proposal would reduce the potential for dispute between landlord and tenant and generate additional income.

The Cabinet Member Finance explained that this had been generally supported by the Budget Scrutiny Working Group although there was also a suggestion that there should be a 100 % exemption for the first two months of the property being unoccupied and no discount thereafter. He commented that officers felt that this would be complicated to administer but added that it could be considered further if further changes were to be considered next year.

Members supported the proposal and noted that this was a Council decision.

RESOLVED THAT

Council be recommended to

1.    Set the level of discount for class C empty properties at 25% for the first 6 months

2.    Confirm 6 weeks as the minimum required period of re-occupation before a further empty property discount will apply