At the previous meeting of this Committee on 1^st July 2014, it was agreed to form a Member’s Task & Finish Group to consider changes to the current Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme for 2015/16 and also to consider changes to the current policy regarding awards of Council Tax discounts and exemptions.

The Task & Finish Group met on 28^th August 2014 and agreed to propose a number of technical changes to the current LCTS scheme and to propose the introduction of a 50% empty homes premium to properties that have been empty for more than two years increasing the average Council Tax on these properties from £1,465 per annum to £2,197.50.

These proposals are currently subject to public consultation and on completion of the consultation period; officers will submit a report to Council recommending the adoption of the agreed amendments.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Clark and SECONDED by Cllr Quirk to receive the recommendation set out in the report.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

To agree that the contents of this report are presented to Ordinary Council, 10 December 2014.