Agenda item

To receive an update on the Long Term Property Strategy.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member: Highways, Housing & Enforcement presented the report of the Director: Housing, Commercial & Customer Services.

ighwayThe report provided an update on the actions that the Council had taken since Summer 2021 to bring long term empty properties back into use. Since its implementation, the Strategy had seen 312 long term and problematic empty properties brough back into occupation against its set target of 375 properties by June 2026.

Of the 312 properties brough back into use, there were 3 properties which had been empty for longer than 20 years, 12 properties which had been empty for longer than 10 years, 20 properties which had been empty for longer than 5 years and 60 properties which had been empty longer than 2 years.

Properties which had been empty for less than 6 months were typically part of a natural churn in the residential market linked with changes in ownership, tenancy, refurbishment and probate therefore the Strategy’s main focus had been on properties that had been vacant for more than 6 months.

The Strategy had continued to recognise the negative environmental impacts that empty properties had brought to the Borough’s streets, such as an increased risk of fly tipping and anti-social behaviour but also that every unoccupied property was a wasted housing opportunity for Telford and Wrekin residents in need of affordable accommodation.

The report set out how the Strategy had positively impacted families in need, including those in temporary accommodation. The Council had acquired a further 81 properties for refurbishment to provide an increase in accommodation for those previously homeless through the Rough Sleepers and Next Steps Accommodation programmes.

Partnership working had remained a key focus of the Strategy to ensure that not only are properties brought back into use, but also that the best outcomes are achieved for the owners of the empty properties, the neighbourhoods affected by them and to maximise opportunities for residents to access affordable homes.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and the significant outcomes of the Strategy to date. Members highlighted the positive results the Strategy had had in providing much needed affordable housing for vulnerable residents in the Borough and the Council’s approach to maximising financial benefits through the new homes bonus and council tax recovery.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group  welcomed the report and commended Officers for their ongoing work to address the long-standing issue of empty properties which had been a national issue for many years.

The Leader of the Conservative Group commented on the importance of property ownership and the responsibilities that come with it and asked how the Council collates data in relation to the number of empty properties currently in the Borough and the total number of empty properties that could be brought back into use. 

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member: Highways, Housing & Enforcement confirmed that the Council held up to date records of the number of empty properties in the Borough as these properties would be subject to paying increased council tax rates and advised that Members were able to report empty properties to the Council for investigation.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the actions undertaken in respect to the delivery of the Long-Term Empty Property Strategy be noted; and

b)    the Strategy and the approach being taken to address long term empty properties across the Borough be re-affirmed.