Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Peter Curtis asked that the Facilitator write to Councillor Mike Reece to convey the good wishes of the Committee.

Purpose: To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

As a private landlord, Councillor David Roney declared a personal interest on Agenda Item 4 ‘Council Tax Base Setting for 2017-18’.

As a private landlord, Councillor David Roney declared a personal interest on Agenda Item 4 ‘Council Tax Base Setting for 2017-18’.

Purpose: To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2016 (copy enclosed).

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2016 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

That Committee notes the setting of the annual Tax Base of 63,543 band D equivalent properties (as shown in Appendix 1 to the report) for the financial year 2017-18.

The Revenues Manager presented a report on the setting of the Council Tax Base of 63,543 band D equivalent properties for the financial year 2017-18, as approved by Cabinet.  This was based on all properties subject to Council Tax as at 31 October, taking into account new build developments such as that at Custom House Lane which Members were due to visit.

Following a steady growth in the county’s Tax Base over the past ten years, there had been a significant increase from 2016-17 of almost 1.3% which reflected the strong economy and range of new build schemes across the county.  The Council’s decision to introduce the Council Tax premium scheme from April 2017 would have a further positive effect on the future Council Tax Base and would provide an incentive for property owners to bring some of the long-term empty properties back into use.

Councillor Peter Curtis raised concerns about long-term empty shops with accommodation, particularly those where grant funding had been received to return them to use.  Officers explained that empty commercial premises were excluded from the Council Tax Base as they were subject to property rates, and that the vast majority of properties utilising external grant funding had been re-let following refurbishment.

Councillor David Cox asked whether it was the case that the Council was not able to intervene on long-term empty homes unless they were deemed unsafe.  The Regeneration Manager explained that legislation allowed for enforcement action to be taken in response to statutory Housing Act issues or that forced sale of the property could be progressed subject to the policy previously scrutinised by the Committee and approved at Cabinet.  Another option available was to pursue an Empty Dwelling Management Order for properties vacant over two years and causing neighbourhood issues.  A dedicated officer, Stephen Roberts, was the point of contact for dealing with long-term empty homes defined as being empty over six months.

In response to comments from Councillor Paul Cunningham concerning a property in his ward, the Regeneration Manager spoke about the potential to explore Planning conditions or to utilise home improvement loans.  The current number of empty homes in the county was 796, having reduced by 10% over the past 12 months following work by officers to raise awareness of the Council Tax premium liability from April 2017.  A further reduction was expected after the implementation of this scheme.

Councillor Ian Dunbar raised similar ongoing concerns about properties in his ward and was asked to discuss these with the Regeneration Manager following the meeting.  It was explained that whilst the Council had no jurisdiction on the advertisement of long-term empty properties for sale above market value, a condition within the exemptions to the Council Tax premium imposed a time limited exemption of one year on long-term empty properties being marketed for sale.  The Regeneration Manager added that there was provision in the legislation for enforcement to be taken where physical damage or harm to neighbours’ property could be demonstrated.  Enforcement action could also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

That the progress of the Regeneration Service over the last 12 months be noted.

The Regeneration Manager presented an update report on the activities of the Regeneration Service over the past 18 months.

An overview was given of the significant progress made on a range of workstreams under the Vibrant and Viable Places (VVP) programme including regeneration and environmental improvements.  On Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs), officers were exploring different ways of delivery to reduce timescales.  Although performance was improving, the aim was to exceed the target through recruitment, benchmarking with other councils and reviewing how performance was reported.  An update was also given on empty homes activities, as referred to in the previous item, including the ‘Living Over the Shops’ grant funding which the Council was keen to explore further to meet demand.  A review was underway to identify how town centre regeneration could be supported and to consider the use of capital funding to support core activities given the reduction in external grant funding.

Councillor Ian Dunbar congratulated officers on the report and commended the work of the Green Team.  He also expressed disappointment that his ward was outside the VVP.  In response to concerns about an outstanding DFG, the Chief Officer asked that such issues be raised directly with the Regeneration team to follow up.

Councillor Derek Butler gave assurance that solutions were being explored to address DFG issues as well as addressing the disparity in performance reporting by different councils.  He referred to complex issues around regeneration and highlighted the Council’s success in delivering a number of key projects.  He went on to talk about the impact of the loss of Communities First and uncertainty on external funding.

Whilst Councillor Rosetta Dolphin welcomed the empty homes activities set out in the report, she pointed out that this was a minor proportion of the 796 properties that were currently empty.  The Chief Officer highlighted the range of measures being explored to encourage owners to return their properties to use and gave a reminder that the total number had reduced by 10% since the previous year.  Councillor Dolphin stressed the importance of publicising the Council’s powers to encourage other homeowners to bring their properties back into use.  On town centre regeneration, she referred to funding available for groups to take on assets and said that outcomes may not always concur with the needs of the wider community.  The Service Manager said that these points reinforced the need for partnership working which the Council was aiming to do by bringing together stakeholders.

Progress on the VVP was welcomed by Councillor Andy Dunbobbin for the improvements in his ward.

In response to comments from Councillor David Cox on the forthcoming Chancellor’s Statement, the Regeneration Manager said there was a need for a balanced focus on regeneration as well as new build developments.

Councillor Peter Curtis felt that attempts should be made to establish the causes of long-term empty shops, such as those in his ward.  Councillor Butler suggested that a range of factors could be involved and agreed that adequate resources were required to support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

That the Committee supports the overall approach and progress for the delivery of new Council and affordable homes through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Project (SHARP).

The Housing Strategy Officer introduced an update report on progress of the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Project (SHARP) to deliver 500 new Council and affordable homes over the five year period with the partner developer, Wates Residential.

Councillor Derek Butler asked that the Committee’s good wishes be extended to the Service Manager (Housing Programmes) who was unable to attend.

The officer provided explanation on the phased approach to the programme, providing an update on the new housing schemes due for completion in Connah’s Quay and Flint, as well as progress with the emerging schemes.  As a further update, the scheme at Ysgol Delyn in Mold had been recently been given planning approval.  With regard to funding, the Council’s indicative allocation of Housing Finance Grant 2 (HFG2) was set out in the report, noting that more could be secured, depending on the take-up by other Authorities.

The Chief Officer spoke about the Council’s proactive approach to meet the new homes target and that any additional HFG2 funding could help towards exceeding that target.

In welcoming the report, Councillor Derek Butler highlighted the positive relationship with the development partner to deliver on the Council’s aims.  He referred to the successful ‘Meet the Buyer’ event and the generation of employment and apprenticeship opportunities.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin praised the positive outcomes for local people and asked about the allocation approach to the new build homes.  The Chief Officer said that this would be done on a community basis, in line with the agreed policy.

The focus on local outcomes and partnership with Wates Residential was also praised by Councillors Paul Cunningham and Ray Hughes.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee supports the overall approach and progress for the delivery of new Council and affordable homes through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Project (SHARP).

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted; and

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

In presenting the Forward Work Programme for consideration, the Facilitator gave a reminder that the meeting on 21 December 2016 had been cancelled.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin referred to her suggestion for an enterprise workshop to be attached to a future meeting.  She was informed that a separate date would have to be scheduled to allow sufficient time for the item.

RESOLVED:

 (a)      That the Forward Work Programme be noted; and

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

There was one member of the public in attendance.