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1. What are the main aims purpose and outcomes of the Policy and how do these fit with the wider aims of the organization?

To apply a council tax premium to encourage the use of empty  properties and generating additional income for the council.

Introduction of the change will support the councils objective to provide decent, affordable housing in the right places across a range of tenures by providing landlords and owners of long term empty properties with financial incentives to bring them back into use.

The proposals is to introduce an Empty Homes Premium of 50% on all properties which have been empty for two years or more, subject to mandatory exemptions such as where the householder is absent to receive or provide care.

 The changes would take affect from 1 April 2014.

2. How do these aims affect our duty to:

·         Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimization and other conduct prohibited by the act.

·         Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

·         Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

The change is not expected to have any impact on the councils duty to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity or foster good relations between people who share protected charachteristics.

3. What aspects of the policy including how it is delivered or accessed could contribute to inequality?

The change is to introiduce an additional premium to an existing liability.  It will be delivered as part of the existing billing process for council tax with support provided to residents through theGateway and corporate contact centre. Any existing arrangements for additional support will be continue.

4. Will the policy have an impact (positive or negative) upon the lives of people, including particular communities and groups who have protected characteristics ? What evidence do you have for this?

The intention of the policy is to reduce the number of properties that remain and as such is expected to positiveevly impact on the availabvility of housing within the borough.  Empty properties are also damaging to the local economy and attract higher levels of crime and anti social behaviour.

Residents being asked to pay the additional premium may see the change as a negative, however, the council provides support to help those individuals bring properties back into use.