Issue - meetings

Option 1: Aim to continue a strategic approach to empty homes until 31 March 2017, and request Officers to consider how Officer support might best be provided/reallocated, for consideration during the budget.

Option 2: Aim to continue a strategic approach to empty homes until 31 March 2017, and request Officers to investigate how Officer support might best be provided/reallocated, and what potential exists to create a dedicated revenue and/or capital budget for long term empty homes (including any external funding opportunities), for consideration during the budget.

Option 3: Deliver the existing Empty Homes Strategy until July 2015 and discontinue the strategic approach to empty homes.

Advantages

Subject to budget decisions, the additional empty homes brought back into use would make a positive contribution to the overall housing supply and mix.   The council will be fulfilling its strategic housing function by making effective use of existing housing, including empty homes, in order to meet housing needs.   Empty homes work will contribute towards the Cabinet decision to engage in housing provision targeted towards affordable housing using a variety of methods.  Empty homes work will contribute towards the strategic housing regeneration priority to bring empty homes back into use.  Proactively identifying empty homes and the use of enforcement will send a strong message that the council does not tolerate empty homes, acting as a powerful disincentive to owners. Bringing empty homes into use will attract positive media coverage and publicity for the council. This is particularly important in the context of the Local Plan and meeting the district’s future housing requirements. Internal and external funding opportunities can potentially be identified and quickly responded to.  The council can make informed decisions around the appropriate use of the different enforcement tools available.

As with Option 1 but some additional resources (if identified) would ensure the pro-active work through grants can continue if alternative external sources of funding are discontinued or could allow potential match funding for properties that require a higher level of investment.

The exact level will be determined as part of the annual Budget Process.

No further council resources would be required beyond those already committed and budgeted for.

Disadvantages

Future funding would be required for a dedicated resource beyond those currently committed, and it is not yet determined how this could be afforded or whether it could be reallocated from elsewhere. 

As with option 1 but additional resources may need to be committed which may impact on the council’s budget and future savings which need to be identified, even if more New Homes Bonus is generated.

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