In March 2021, following a motion at full Council by the Labour group which was accepted in February 2021, PRED resolved to review Council Tax Discretionary Discounts and report options to a future PRED Committee.

In September 2021, Members reviewed the options available and agreed to consult with residents on three discretionary discounts to make amendments to the scheme of Council Tax Discounts and Premiums with effect from 1 April 2022, using discretionary powers granted by the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018.

The report outlined the results from the consultation and proposed changes to the scheme.

After a full discussion, Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Barrett SECONDED the recommendations in the report. A vote was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Members are asked to:

R1.

A) Remove the Council Tax discretionary discount for Empty and unfurnished properties from 1 April 2022.

B) Remove the Council Tax discretionary discount for Second Homes from 1 April 2022.

C) Not change The Council Tax discretionary discount for Empty & Uninhabitable properties from 1 April 2022.

Reasons for Recommendation

Properties that are vacant for long periods of time, can lead to problems with

squatters, anti-social behaviour and have a direct impact on the amount of

housing available in the Borough. The removal of these discounts would

incentivise the owners to bring properties back into use and occupation with

less delay.

Currently two local Council Tax discounts the Council were reviewing to remove are costing Brentwood Council £13,519 per annum, and the precepting authorities collectively £113,344 per annum. This would generate additional income to the collective Councils to reinvest within their services.

Legislation will still allow the Council to award discretionary support to people in exceptional circumstances and each request will be given due care and

consideration and assessed on its own merits.

A vote was taken on Standing Orders and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to extend the meeting for half an hour.