The Council did not have a current Empty Homes policy or inter-service working practice in relation to privately-owned vacant properties within the Borough. 

Legislation allowed for the Council to take a number of approaches in relation to enabling those vacant properties back into usage on the housing market.  Historically Local Authorities rarely made full use of these powers, due to cost and legal complexity.  

Vacant properties in the Borough deprived the community of suitable accommodation and were having a detrimental impact on the areas in which were situated.  

It was proposed that given the current housing crisis and as a reflection of the Council’s determination to consider the viability and desirability of all prevention tools that an internal scoping exercise was held.

Cllr Cloke MOVED  and Cllr Hossack SECONDED an AMENDMENT to recommendation 2.1 as follows:

That Officers are instructed to report to the Committee outlining the powers , measures and there associated costs that can be taken to effectively reduce the number of empty homes in the Borough. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

Officers were instructed to report to the Committee outlining the powers, measures and there associated costs that could be taken to effectively reduce the number of empty homes in the Borough. 

Reason for recommendation

To further structure the Council’s approach to housing, in particular as relevant to the Housing Strategy and Local Plan.