64 Council Tax Local Discounts & Exemptions Policy
To consider and receive the report of the Director (Customer and Digital).
Decision:
To approve consultation on proposals to change the Council Tax Local Discounts and Exemptions Policy from 1 April 2019.
Minutes:
Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member (Resources) presented the confidential report of the Director (Customer and Digital) which seeks approval to consult on the proposed changes to the Council Tax Local Discounts and Exemptions Policy from 1 April 2019 outlined in the report.
Decision:
To approve consultation on proposals to change the Council Tax Local Discounts and Exemptions Policy from 1 April 2019.
Reasons for Recommendation(s)
Charging greater Council Tax premiums on homes that have been empty and unfurnished for more than two years will support the Council’s Empty Residential Property Policy and encourage owners to bring these properties back into use.
The proposed policy changes demonstrate commitment to meeting the needs of residents and the local area by tackling the borough’s shortage of housing and the demand for affordable homes.
Consultation will allow residents and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the proposed policy changes.
Alternative options considered and rejected
To leave Council Tax premiums unchanged on homes which have been empty and unfurnished for more than two years. This option has been rejected as the Council would not be using all available measures to give incentive to long term empty property owners to bring their properties back into use.