Issue - meetings

Item FIP 18/29 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 17 September 2018

(Item FIP 18/29 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 17 September 2018)

Consideration of recommendations to the Cabinet from the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 17 September 2018.

The Cabinet resolved that:

The recommendations of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board be approved as follows:

(1)             the Class C empty property discount be removed with effect from 1 April 2019 for a trial period of one year and a report back on any implications; and

(2)             delegated authority be granted to the Director of Finance and Transformation in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property to apply a long term empty homes premium of 100% from April 2019 if Regulations allow.

Decision Notice D180061CAB

To consider whether there should be a change to the Class C empty property council tax discount and whether a 100% long term empty homes premium should be applied, both with effect from 1 April 2019 where Regulations allow.

Further to Decision No D170059MEM, consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance and Transformation as to whether there should be a change to the Class C empty property council tax discount and whether a 100% long term empty homes premium should be applied, both from 1 April 2019 where Regulations allowed.

It was noted that all but two Kent authorities had committed to reducing the Class C empty property discount to one month or less and details were given of the experience of those that had removed the discount completely.  Members were minded to reduce the discount to zero but considered that it should be introduced for a trial period of one year with a report back on any implications.

Members considered increasing the premium on long term empty homes to 100% and the grant of delegated authority to implement it subject to the Regulations receiving the Royal Assent.

RECOMMENDED: That

(1)             the Class C empty property discount be removed with effect from 1 April 2019 for a trial period of one year and a report back on any implications; and

(2)             delegated authority be granted to the Director of Finance and Transformation in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property to apply a long term empty homes premium of 100% from April 2019 if Regulations allow.