Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources recommending that from 1^st April 2025 council tax be increased for properties occupied only periodically and for empty homes.

RECOMMENDED that:

(1)       council tax be increased for all properties which are occupied periodically by 100% from 1^st April 2025 subject to any exemptions set out in subsequent Regulations and for implementation to be in accordance with those Regulations and guidance and

(2)       the council tax empty homes premium be increased to 100% for properties empty for between one and five years (currently between two and five years), from 1^st April 2025 subject to any exemptions set out in subsequent Regulations and guidance.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that recommended that from 1^st April 2025 council tax be increased for properties occupied only periodically and for empty homes.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources highlighted the benefits of the proposed increases (5.1-3), among them returning empty properties back into use in line with the Council’s Long Term Empty Property Strategy and generating additional income.  The Cabinet Member for Environment advised that the changes would help with homelessness in Gloucester and that they were being encouraged by central government with its recent `Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill’.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure commented that the proposals would result in either more accommodation for residents or more Council revenue.  This will give the message that if people wanted to keep homes empty then they would have to pay for the privilege.

RECOMMENDED that:

(1)       council tax be increased for all properties which are occupied periodically by 100% from 1^st April 2025 subject to any exemptions set out in subsequent Regulations and for implementation to be in accordance with those Regulations and guidance and

(2)       the council tax empty homes premium be increased to 100% for properties empty for between one and five years (currently between two and five years), from 1^st April 2025 subject to any exemptions set out in subsequent Regulations and guidance.