To consider and comment on the draft 2017 Empty Homes Strategy and associated consultation proposals to Overview and Scrutiny and to enable recommendations to be made to Executive concerning the draft policy.

The Head of Housing Services introduced the Draft 2017 Empty Homes Strategy report and consultation responses.  To date, the Strategy had been a success with many empty homes brought back into occupation in an environment of huge national housing shortage pressures.  Accommodation above shops and businesses in town centres had also been brought back into use and this could in the future lead to signification regeneration in those areas.

The Committee supported the three objectives outlined in the report and whilst acknowledging the lengthy procedures involved and the limited staff resources available, Members supported an expansion to the service noting the many benefits to be gained.  The Director advised that this was a discretionary service provided by the Council.

RECOMMENDED that the Committee

1.    Supported the three objectives set out in the Empty Homes Strategy.

2.    Applauded the work being done to bring further empty homes into habitable accommodation and whilst recognising the challenges, expects continuing robust enforcement to reduce long term empty homes and to report back on the numbers in a year’s time.

3.    Welcomed the link to town centre regeneration and would like to see evidence of further rooms above shops and businesses being brought into habitable accommodation.

4.    Recommended that during the budget cycle the Portfolio Holder for Social Care and Housing gives consideration to the possibility of seeking additional resources to further this important area of work.