The Committee is asked to review and comment on the Council’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2019/20; and on the proposal, subject to the necessary parliamentary legislation, that the current 50% Empty Homes Premium as applied across Central Bedfordshire will be increased to 100% premium.

The Head of Revenues and Benefits introduced the Local Council Tax Support Scheme report for 2019/20.  Central Bedfordshire Council collection performance for 2017/18 reached £179.3m and compares well with national figures and indicated the increase of households in the area.

The number of Council Tax support scheme claimants had reduced and was an indication of an improved economic climate. There were no proposed changes to the schemes and the figures had been adjusted to meet with inflation increases.

The Director of Resources advised that an amendment to the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Bill had received Royal Assent and gave councils the power to increase the empty homes premium thresholds on council tax bills for homes left empty.  The support of Members was sought to enforce the maximum charge on empty properties that increased according to the length of time the property was left vacant.

RECOMMENDED

1.    That, as permitted by the new Government Legislation:-

·         from 1 April 2019 100% premium, be applied to homes that have been empty and substantially unfurnished for 2 years and

·         from April 2020 a 200% premium, be applied for homes that have been empty for between 5 and 10 years, and

• from April 2021 300% premium, be applied for homes empty for 10 years or more.

2.    That the Head of Revenues and Benefits reports on the outcome of this new legislation annually in the Local Council Tax Support Scheme report.

3.    That subject to the above, the Local Tax Support Scheme for 2019/20 be endorsed.