Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

It was resolved –

·        To approve using the funding generated through the Second Homes Premium for the schemes highlighted in paragraph 10 of the report for 2023/24 except for the £300k allocation to the Planning Service.

·        That the maximum grant for bringing empty properties back into use be increased to £25,000.

·        That the allocation to the Planning Service be agreed jointly by the Portfolio Holder for Children, Youth and Housing Services and the Portfolio Holder for Finance once a breakdown of the £300k has been received.

The report of the Head of Housing Services regarding the proposed use of the Second Homes Premium funding for 2023/24 was presented for the Executive’s consideration and approval. The report outlined the schemes which the £1.502m funding would support and the allocation for each scheme.

Councillor Gary Pritchard, Portfolio Member for Children, Youth and Housing Services presented the report saying that the Council had recently approved raising the Second Homes Premium from 50% to 75%. He said that the ruling party had campaigned in last year’s election  on a manifesto commitment of ensuring that everyone has the right to be able to call somewhere home and as part of that vision it is the Administration’s intention to use the additional funding generated by the Second Homes Premium to help local people with their housing needs including by providing grants to bring empty properties back into use and by providing shared equity loans for first time buyers to purchase properties on the open market. For 2023/24 the Council is also introducing a subsidy scheme to help local people afford open market rents. Councillor Pritchard said that the strategy which enables those who can afford more than one home to assist those who are struggling to afford any home is crucial in ensuring local housing for the people of Anglesey.

The Head of Housing Services highlighted that when the Second Homes Premium was introduced in 2017 funding of £170k was made available while in the year gone by the Service was able to spend £696k. He was confident that with the additional funding available the schemes listed in the report will come to fruition.

Councillor Robin Williams, Portfolio Member for Finance referring to the proposed £300k allocation to the Planning Service sought clarification of how the allocation is to be spent. Councillor Gary Pritchard in confirming that work is required in relation to Article 4 directions said that he had consulted with Planning Officers and the Portfolio Member for Planning to obtain further details and a breakdown of the £300k allocation.

The Chair proposed therefore, and it was agreed, that the schemes listed in section 10 of the report be approved except for the £300k allocation to the Planning Service and that that allocation be agreed jointly by the relevant Portfolio Holders once the breakdown has been received.

It was resolved –

·         To approve using the funding generated through the Second Homes Premium for the schemes highlighted in paragraph 10 of the report for 2023/24 except for the £300k allocation to the Planning Service.

·         That the maximum grant for bringing empty properties back into use be increased to £25,000.

·         That the allocation to the Planning Service be agreed jointly by the Portfolio Holder for Children, Youth and Housing Services and the Portfolio Holder for Finance once a breakdown of the £300k has been received.