128 Council Tax Long Term Empty Premium 2019/20 PDF 73 KB
To consider the report of the Director (BA).
Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 22 November 2018 and its comments will be reported.
Decision:
Agreed |
That Council adopt the increase in the Council Tax Long-Term Empty Premium from 50% to 100% from the 1 April 2019.
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Reason for Decision:
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As set out in the report. |
Minutes:
The Director (BA) presented the report which advised of the Government proposal to allow Local Authorities to increase theCouncil Tax Long-Term Empty Premium from a maximum of 50% to a maximum of 100%. This would affect properties that had been empty for two or more years. The Council had discretion as to the premium it wanted to apply, the recommendation was to ask Members to support the maximum premium. Whilst the income this premium generated would only be just over £4,000 pa, it was hoped that the increase would help to bring empty homes back into use.
The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture welcomed this premium increase which could not only help to bring empty properties back into use, providing much needed homes but also improve neighbourhoods.
Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 22 November 2017 and its comments were reported.
RECOMMENDED that Council adopt the increase in the Council Tax Long-Term Empty Premium from 50% to 100% from the 1 April 2019.
56 Council Tax Long Term Empty Premium 2019/20 PDF 73 KB
To consider the report of the Local Taxation Lead.
Minutes:
The Local Taxation Lead presented the report on the Government proposal to allow Local Authorities to increase the Council Tax Long-Term Empty Premium from a maximum of 50% to a maximum of 100% from 1 April 2019. on the assumption that the primary legislation was in place. This would affect properties that had been empty for two or more years. He explained that the Council was committed to reducing the number of empty homes and that the 100% premium would be an important tool to support this aim. Although there would be some financial reward for the Council through the New Homes Bonus scheme introduced in 2011, and in the region of £5,000, the focus of this initiative was to encourage owners of empty homes to bring their properties back into use.
In responses to questions from the Members, the Local Taxation Lead explained:-
Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee supported the report and requested Executive and Council approve the adoption of the increase in the Council Tax Long-Term Empty Premium from 50% to 100% from the 1 April 2019 assuming the relevant primary legislation is in place.