Agenda item

Adolygu'r cynnydd a wnaed wrth roi dull gweithredu'r Cyngor o Fynd i'r Afael a Chartrefi Gwag, a nodir yn y Strategaeth Cartrefi Gwag ar gyfer y cyfnod 2018-2021, ar waith

 The Service Director - Prosperity and Development presented Members with an update on the progress made in implementing the Council’s approach to tackling empty homes, which is set out in the Empty Homes Strategy for the period 2018- 2021.

The Service Director explained that the strategy has been implemented for one year and has provided a frame work for all empty home activity, ensuring a co-ordinated approach across the borough. It was highlighted that the strategy enables the positive work undertaken over recent years to be built on in order to decrease the total number of empty properties in the county borough.

The Service Director Prosperity and Development highlighted the five objectives of the strategy as follows and gave an update as to where we are since the approval by Cabinet:

1.    To develop partnerships and vehicles that will enable an increase in the scale of empty homes being brought back into use.

2.    To maximise the use of current funding and identify further funding models to increase the number of empty homes that are brought back into use.

3.    To continue to use a range of interventions to ensure all types of empty homes are targeted and enabled to be brought back into use and monitor the outcomes related to these closely.

4.    To undertake further research in communities and evaluation of existing schemes to understand why there are high numbers of empty homes.

5.     To identify possible solutions that could prevent homes from becoming empty and also develop interventions for different market areas and types.

The Officer explained that during the financial year 2018/19 the Housing Grants team received 102 empty homes grant applications and all applications were surveyed and 88 (86%) were approved. By the end of the financial year, 61, (69%) were complete, the remaining 27 cases are ongoing and have rolled over into 2019/20 programme. It was explained that the total spend against the grant for the financial year 2018/19 as £1.24m, which brought 61 empty homes back into use.

The Service Director continued and concluded his report by explaining that the empty property data for 2018/19 clearly evidences that the Empty Homes Strategy and collaboratively working with partners, is being successful in having a positive impact on reducing the numbers of empty homes across RCT. 

The Chair thanked the Officer for the report and opened up the Meeting for Members questions and observations.

Members also thanked the Officer for a very informative report. A  Member asked if probate on properties is causing a problem. It was explained that this is a challenge however we are working with the enforcement teams to try and overcome the problem.

In relation to the scheme a Member requested clarity on how the Local Authority are promoting the grant to first time buyers. It was explained that the grant criteria is on the Council’s website, Members requested officers circulate the link so this could be passed on to their residents as many are unaware that this is available. Members were also informed that 17 homes were purchased by first time buyers.

Another Member commented on the stress the empty homes are putting on the neighbour, Officers explained that this would be taken up with the enforcement team.

A Member commented that he was pleased to see the progress made in his area it is a good scheme and grants made for families would be pleasing to see. The Member also commented that a single point access would benefit residents with one telephone number.

After further discussion Members RESOLVED to:

·         Acknowledge the content of the report

·         Monitor the progress of the scheme going forward.