Decision details

This report will seek a decision from Cabinet on initiating formal enforcement action to recover one or more high priority empty properties

(1) To AGREE that Appendices 1 and 2 constitute exempt information according to the categories set out in the Local government Act 1972 (amended Schedule 12A) because it contains information which relates to an individual or which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual, and therefore that the public interest is best served by exemption of the information;

(2) To INSTRUCT the Head of Housing to undertake the appropriate and statutory steps to obtain Compulsory Purchase Orders on the two properties detailed in Appendix 1 and then to dispose of the properties on the open market with a contractual requirement that they shall be brought back into residential use within 18 months; and

(3) To ADOPT the updated Empty Property Policy.

Bringing empty properties back into use can achieve a number of benefits including:

• Helping to meet local housing demand;

• Reducing the need for new housing development;

• Reducing the crime & vandalism which empty properties often attract;

• Reducing problems to neighbouring properties which poorly maintained empty properties can sometimes cause;

• Improve & regenerate localities;

• Generate Council funding through the New Homes Bonus Scheme

This enforcement action will clearly demonstrate the Council’s commitment to the recovery of empty properties and encourage other owners to work with the Council in a positive and constructive manner.

Do not take enforcement action

This would mean that the properties identified would not be recovered, which would run counter to the Empty Home Policy.  In addition failure to take action would reduce the Council’s ability to persuade other empty property owners that the Council is serious about the recovery of empty properties.

Empty Dwelling Management Order

There are a number of reasons why this option has been discounted including: not considered a permanent solution; significantly more staff resource intensive; effectively a 7 year project; potentially a more expensive option; and would require revenue funding rather than the capital funding currently available.