Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and Cost-of-living introduced the report. He stated the report set out the proposed Council Tax Discounts and Premiums for Empty Properties and Second Homes. He said this formed part of the Budget and Policy framework which required approval by Council. Members of the Council commented on the report.

DECISION

Council AGREED to:

The Council is recommended to:

1.    Reduce the current 100% discount awarded to unoccupied and unfurnished and uninhabitable dwellings to zero (0%) for the financial year 2024/25 onwards.

2.    From 1 April 2024, amend the application of the levy of 100% premium for long-term empty properties to 1 year reducing this from the current 2 years.

3.    From 1 April 2024 levy an additional premium on long-term empty property vacant for over 5 years at the maximum permitted level of 200%. The resulting charge will be 300% of the standard Council Tax.

4.    From 1 April 2024 levy an additional premium on long-term empty property vacant for over 10 years at the maximum permitted level of 300%. The resulting charge will be 400% of the standard Council Tax.

5.    Council be given the discretion, delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to reduce or waive the long-term empty premium charge in exceptional circumstances.

6.    Give 12 months’ notice that the Council will introduce a second home premium of 100% from 1 April 2025.

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and Cost-of-living introduced the report. He stated the report set out the proposed Council Tax Discounts and Premiums for Empty Properties and Second Homes. He said this formed part of the Budget and Policy framework which required approval by Council. Members of the Council commented on the report.

RESOLVED:

Council AGREED to:

The Council is recommended to:

1.    Reduce the current 100% discount awarded to unoccupied and unfurnished and uninhabitable dwellings to zero (0%) for the financial year 2024/25 onwards.

2.    From 1 April 2024, amend the application of the levy of 100% premium for long-term empty properties to 1 year reducing this from the current 2 years.

3.    From 1 April 2024 levy an additional premium on long-term empty property vacant for over 5 years at the maximum permitted level of 200%. The resulting charge will be 300% of the standard Council Tax.

4.    From 1 April 2024 levy an additional premium on long-term empty property vacant for over 10 years at the maximum permitted level of 300%. The resulting charge will be 400% of the standard Council Tax.

5.    Council be given the discretion, delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to reduce or waive the long-term empty premium charge in exceptional circumstances.

6.    Give 12 months’ notice that the Council will introduce a second home premium of 100% from 1 April 2025.

DECISION:

1.    Reduce the current 100% discount awarded to unoccupied and unfurnished and uninhabitable dwellings is reduced to zero (0%) for the financial year 2024/25 onwards.

2.    From 1^st April 2024, amend the application of the levy of 100% premium for long-term empty properties to 1 year reducing this from the current 2 years.

3.    From 1^st April 2024 levy an additional premium on long-term empty property vacant for over 5 years at the maximum permitted level of 200%. The resulting charge will be 300% of the standard council tax.

4.    From 1^st April 2024 levy an additional premium on long-term empty property vacant for over 10 years at the maximum permitted level of 300%. The resulting charge will be 400% of the standard council tax.

5.    Council be given the discretion, delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to reduce or waive the long-term empty premium charge in exceptional circumstances.

6.    Give 12 months’ notice that the Council will introduce a second home premium of 100% from 1^st April 2025.

Action by

CORPORATE DIRECTOR RESOURCES (J. LORRAINE)

Interim Director of Finance, Procurement and Audit (J. Harrison)

Head of Strategic Finance (C. Leslie)

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living introduced the report that proposed that the Council amend the current Council Tax discounts and exemptions applied to empty properties from 1^st April 2024 to encourage owners to bring properties back into use and increase the availability of homes in the borough. Councillor Ahmed explained there was also a proposal to introduce, from 1^st April 2025, an additional Council Tax premium on second homes in the borough.

Chris Boylett, (Interim Head of Revenue and Benefits) provided further details of the proposals.

The Mayor welcomed the proposals which he indicated would help both to address housing shortages in the borough and therefore ease overcrowding, and help raise additional income.   

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Reduces the current 100% discount awarded to unoccupied and unfurnished and uninhabitable dwellings is reduced to zero (0%) for the financial year 2024/25 onwards.

2. From 1^st April 2024, amends the application of the levy of 100% premium for long-term empty properties to 1 year reducing this from the current 2 years.

3. From 1^st April 2024 levies an additional premium on long-term empty property vacant for over 5 years at the maximum permitted level of 200%. The resulting charge will be 300% of the standard council tax.

4. From 1^st April 2024 levies an additional premium on long-term empty property vacant for over 10 years at the maximum permitted level of 300%. The resulting charge will be 400% of the standard council tax.

5. Council be given the discretion, delegated to the Head of Revenues and Benefits to reduce or waive the long-term empty premium charge in exceptional circumstances.

6. Gives 12 months’ notice that the Council will introduce a second home premium of 100% from 1^st April 2025.