Issue - meetings

To receive a briefing paper from the Public Health and Professional Services Manager providing an update on the progress of the empty homes project following the briefing in January 2017.

The Group had before it, and NOTED, a report * from the Public Health and Professional Service Manager providing it with an update on the progress of the empty homes project following the briefing in January 2017.

Key highlights within the report included the following:

·         In relation to the Corporate Plan target, more than double the number of predicted empty homes had been brought back into use.

·         Income generation going forwards from 2017/18 would become tighter with the New Homes Bonus only being payable once a 0.4% baseline had been reached with the dowry period falling to 5 years. Bringing empty properties back into use therefore takes a positive net financial contribution to the Council’s revenue budget in addition to the wider beneficial social, housing and regeneration impacts.

·         13 properties had been identified as needing priority action however contact had been made with all 132 properties that had been empty for 2 years or more.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The fact that overall there were currently 776 properties that had been empty across the district for more than 6 months.

·         Whilst there was significant housing need in Crediton, applications had been submitted for development but these would take some years to come to fruition.

Note: * Report previously circulated, copy attached to the signed minutes.