Agenda item

Motion:Empty Homes

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Tony Cox

Seconded by Councillor Don McCubbin

 

Council

 

(1)  notes that empty houses blight communities and are also a haven for anti-social behaviour and vandalism;

 

(2)  recognises the good work carried out within the Regeneration Department through the Empty Property Team, in bringing unused properties back to occupancy and believes more can be done; and

 

(3)   therefore, instructs Officers as a matter of urgency to carry out a study into the issues raised in the Channel 4 Television documentary 'The Great British Property Scandal' and work with the Government's empty homes advisor, George Clarke, to create a low cost empty homes loan scheme for people willing to refurbish older properties for rent at affordable levels.

 

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

 

Proposed by Councillor George Davies

Seconded by Councillor Brian Kenny

 

Delete after paragraph (1) and insert:

 

(2)  Council recognises the important work carried out within the Regeneration Department through the Empty Property Team in bringing unused properties back to occupancy and supports the year on year improvement in meeting targets for empty homes brought back into use through Council interventions; and

 

(3)  in response to the issues raised on the Channel 4 programme, we ask that the Empty Property Team, in consultation with George Clark, the Government’s empty homes advisor, further develop their approaches to encourage more private investment into empty homes, to reflect current Council budgetary pressures, such as accredited leasing schemes and expanding private sector leasing with Registered Providers for affordable rents. These would be in addition to the wide range of initiatives already being utilised by the Empty Property Team.

 

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

 

Proposed by Councillor Stuart Kelly

Seconded by Councillor Mark Johnston

 

Add additional paragraph (4):

 

The details of such a scheme to be reported to Economy and Regeneration OSC for development and onward recommendation to Cabinet.

 

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter

 

The amendment proposed by Councillor Davies was put and carried (60:0) (one abstention)

 

The amendment proposed by Councillor Kelly was put and carried (60:0) (one abstention)

 

The substantive motion was put and carried (60:0) (one abstention)

 

Resolved - (60:0) (one abstention) –

 

Council

 

(1)  notes that empty houses blight communities and are also a haven for anti-social behaviour and vandalism;

 

(2)  recognises the important work carried out within the Regeneration Department through the Empty Property Team in bringing unused properties back to occupancy and supports the year on year improvement in meeting targets for empty homes brought back into use through Council interventions;

 

(3)  in response to the issues raised on the Channel 4 programme, we ask that the Empty Property Team, in consultation with George Clark, the Government’s empty homes advisor, further develop their approaches to encourage more private investment into empty homes, to reflect current Council budgetary pressures, such as accredited leasing schemes and expanding private sector leasing with Registered Providers for affordable rents. These should be in addition to the wide range of initiatives already being utilised by the Empty Property Team; and

 

(4)  requests the details of such a scheme to be reported to Economy and Regeneration OSC for development and onward recommendation to Cabinet.