Issue - meetings

The report by the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services presents the updated Empty Private Property Strategy which outlines the council's approach to reducing the number and impact of empty homes.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Housing approves the council's Empty Private Property Strategy 2019-2024. 

The Cabinet Member for Housing approved the council's Empty Private Property Strategy 2019-2024.

Clare Hardwick, Acting Head of Private Sector Housing, presented the report on behalf of the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Buildings.  The aims were to reduce the number and impact on communities of these empty properties which were a valuable resource and should be brought back into use.

Councillor Stubbs asked for further information on the hot-spot areas in the map at 5.4 in the city centre.  Councillor Sanders requested that this information be sent to both opposition spokespersons and to him as Cabinet Member for Housing.

Councillor Stubbs also asked why Portsmouth was performing badly and if void council owned units were included in the statistics?  In response it was reported that whilst the data had been provided by Council Tax the data would also include local authority owned housing (such as the decanted tower blocks) as well as university properties.

Councillor Sanders was keen for empty private properties to be brought back into use and asked if intervening at 6 months rather than the legal guideline of 2 years would be a problem to enforce?  Clare Hardwick responded that a proactive approach was being taken, with enforcement action only being one tool to be used when trying to make improvements for local communities. 

Councillor Sanders welcomed the report.

DECISION:

The Cabinet Member for Housing approved the council's Empty Private Property Strategy 2019-2024.