A report by the Director of Finance reviewed Council Tax charges for Second Homes, long-term empty homes and the annual option for the Council to set locally defined discount schemes.  Members were requested to decide if any amendments to current discounts should be brought into operation.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  with regard to Second Homes and Local Discounts, no amendment be made to the current discount levels for 2011-12;

(2)  with regard to Long Term Empty Properties, the full rate of Council Tax is charged at the expiry of the exempt period.  It being noted that this will support the policy of bringing more empty properties back into use, which is a policy also recommended by the Living in Wirral task force and supported by the public in the ‘Wirral’s Future’ consultation.  It also being noted that the New Homes Bonus, currently the subject of DCLG consultation, could potentially generate additional revenue to the Council in government reward grant for each empty house brought back into use;

(3)  the discounts of 50% for the refuge and 75% for both flats continue to be awarded to Wirral Women and Children’s Aid for 2011-12; and

(4)  the Director of Finance be instructed to bring a report to a future Cabinet setting out a range of policy options and likely costs on eligibility criteria for considering applications of Local Discounts.