RECOMMENDED: That option 3 set out in the report (to reduce the discount on empty properties to a period of one month and a discount on uninhabitable properties to 25% for 12 months) regarding the discounts for empty / unfurnished and uninhabitable properties be implemented from 1 April 2017 be adopted.
Reason for Decision
Amending the discounts will encourage owners of empty properties to bring them back into use and reduce the cost of awarding council tax discounts, bringing in extra income.