Agenda item

To update on the progress of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Policy (report of the Assistant Director – General Fund Assets enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – General Fund Assets which updated the Policy Development Panel on the progress of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Policy

The Strategic Operational and Property Manager introduced the report and highlighted the following areas:

• Background to the policy which was approved at Full Council in 2022;
• Progress made, since implementation of the policy, in respect of five sites in the district; and
• The suggestion that, optimally, the policy be encompassed by existing Local Authority powers delegated to Planning Enforcement and Building Control to enable earlier intervention and engagement.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members acknowledged that the policy covered commercial properties only however they were keen to understand how local authorities could encourage or enforce empty residential properties to be brought back into use.
  • The Strategic Operational and Property Manager responded that:
    • The policy only applied to derelict and/or untidy commercial sites;
    • Local authorities had limited legislative authority over privately owned shop units/sites. However, engagement and encouragement of mutual participation was sought; and
    • The services of Planning Enforcement and/or Building Control would be called upon where an empty building was considered untidy and/or dangerous;

• Members queried the action that could be taken should engagement with owners of derelict and/or untidy sites not be forthcoming. The public were concerned about the derelict sites in the district and members suggested that the policy needed to be reviewed/strengthened to enable further action to be taken.

• Members referred to point 1.2 of the report and queried whether the policy could reside with Enforcement and Building Control. Members were keen that the policy be placed within the team which maximised its potential.
  • The Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership responded that:
    • For context, the policy had been originally tasked to a senior member of staff in the Assets team who had expertise and experience in the subject area; and
    • Issues were dealt with collaboratively across multiple council departments, including Planning Enforcement, and therefore the position of the policy within the departmental structure of the council did not influence action that could be taken. Nonetheless, where the policy resided departmentally could be reviewed.

• Members noted empty sites across the whole district and acknowledged that any decisions regarding the fair prioritisation of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) would be challenging within current budget constraints.

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• Members referred to the council’s challenge of a derelict classification for an existing Spalding site, and debated whether the desired overturning of the classification, in order to change its rateable status, could lead to deliberate demise and a worsening of condition.
  • The Strategic Operational and Property Manager responded that:
    • The situation was challenging but engagement was always encouraged prior to action; and
    • Appropriate referrals would be made to Planning Enforcement.

• Members referred to empty homes within their wards and asked whether a similar policy could be set up for residential properties.
  • The Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership stated that:
    • Empty residential homes were under the remit of the Private Sector Housing team;
    • A different process existed for the complex issue of dealing with empty residential homes, for example, many apparent empty homes were wanted; and
    • A new Empty Homes Policy was planned for the partnership and details would come forward to members at a future Policy Development Panel meeting.

·      Members suggested that the council investigate whether a CPO was more easily obtainable on derelict buildings. The outcome of which may change the direction of current action in respect of challenging derelict classifications for rateable purposes. Members also recognised that the granting of a CPO was complex. 

AGREED:

After consideration of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Policy update by the Policy Development Panel:

a)    That the report and progress made in bringing derelict sites back to use be noted; and

b)    That the comments of the Panel be noted.