Lead Member – Councillor Dean Carroll – Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration

Report of Mark Barrow – Executive Director of Place – To Follow

RESOLVED:

To approve and adopt the draft Empty Homes Strategy, set out in Appendix I.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth, Regeneration and Housing presented the report which provided an overview of the numbers of empty homes in Shropshire, why homes can become empty and how, especially long-term, empty homes are a wasted resource, the importance of them being brought back into use and how this can be achieved. Members noted that the draft Strategy has been subject to public consultation. Feedback has been considered, resulting in amendments set out in paragraph 7.5 of the report and included in the final draft brought to Cabinet.

Members welcomed the report, however requested further financial information to understand the economic benefit to the council. They noted that a pilot project had been carried out in Wem to bring a cluster of properties back into use. This had been successful, but it was noted that it was resource intensive.

It was suggested that Communities Overview Committee look into the matter of homes which are no longer on the council tax register due to their condition. This would then be brought back to a future Cabinet meeting as an update report.

RESOLVED:

To approve and adopt the draft Empty Homes Strategy, set out in Appendix I.