Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, seeking approval of the policy for discounts for empty homes (to replace the existing Class A and Class C exemptions), long term empty homes and second homes to be implemented from 1 April 2013, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9636)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forResources, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  Recommends that Full Council

(a)  Approves the policy that the empty homes discount is left at 100% for Class C empty properties but that the discount is reduced from six months to one month from 1 April 2013.

(b)  Approves the policy that the empty homes discount is reduced from 100% to 50% for Class A empty properties from 1 April 2013.

(c)  Approves the introduction of a long term empty properties premium set at 50% from 1 April 2013.

(d)  Approves the removal of the second home discount so that Council Tax will be payable in full on these properties from 1 April 2013.

(e)  Approves the introduction of discretionary hardship support under section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 with effect from 1 April 2013 as set out in Appendix 1.

(f)  Delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources to approve the NNDR 1 return for the City Council from 2013/14 and for future years.