Agenda item

Click here to view the recording of this item on YouTube

The Portfolio Holder for People and Communities presented the report on High Street rental auctions and empty property initiatives, outlining the links between tackling empty retail and residential properties, the funding arrangements, and the operational approach.

The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection advised the Panel that the report related specifically to the High Street Rental Auction scheme, and that the empty property post was already underway and would be advertised shortly.

The Chair thanked the Portfolio Holder for People and Communities and officers for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel as summarised below.

Councillor Ryves asked why empty retail and residential property policies were linked.  The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection, and the Regeneration Programmes Manager explained that both types of vacancies negatively affected the town’s economic vitality and public perception, and that combining efforts would achieve a broader impact, including opportunities to repurpose space above shops for residential use.

In response to a question from the Chair, the Regeneration and Programmes Manager confirmed that funding from the Pride in Place programme and other partners would be available.

Councillor Bone commented that converting some empty properties to residential use made sense and stated that he welcomed the scheme.

In response to comments from Councillor Crofts, the Portfolio Holder for People and Communities explained that making empty residential properties and flats above shops habitable would help bring more people into the town to support local businesses and highlighted how the two approaches complemented each other.

In response to a question from Councillor Colwell, the Regeneration and Programmes Manager advised that they would provide the most up?to?date figures on void retail properties in the designated High Street rental auction area, using the quarterly survey data, after the meeting.

Councillor Collingham commented that it was disappointing the Debenhams site was excluded from the auction process.  The Regeneration and Programmes Manager explained that the site’s condition exceeded the reasonable standard required by legislation and added that alternative master planning and grant funding options were being explored for the property.

In response to comments from Councillor Ryves, the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business explained that the auction process allowed flexible rental rates, enabling new businesses to trial premises at low cost.

In response to a question from Councillor Bubb, the Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection explained that several options existed for bringing empty domestic properties back into use, including Empty Dwelling Management Orders, which enabled the authority to take over management and recover costs through rent, and enforced sale where appropriate.  It was explained that the Pride in Place programme would also explore the potential for a loan scheme to help landlords bring properties up to a standard where they can be let, subject to a future business case.  The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection emphasised the need to understand why properties remained empty and to work with owners to address barriers or support the sale of properties to others able to bring them back into use.

In response to a question from the Chair, the Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection clarified that while the current focus was on King's Lynn due to high need and funding alignment, there was potential for the empty property officer's work to be extended across the borough as data on vacancies was available.

The Chair commented that it would be good to have the work extended for empty residential properties outside of King’s Lynn.

RESOLVED: That the Regeneration and Development Panel support the recommendation to Cabinet, as set out below.

Cabinet to note the content of the report and agree to implement a High Street Rental Auction Scheme subject to following the national guidance in implementing such a scheme, to initially be applied to the southern section of King’s Lynn High Street (appendix 1).