A RISE in council tax for the owners of derelict or empty homes in Allerdale cleared the final hurdle this week.

Councillors voted on Wednesday to agree the premium hike as part of a drive to tackle the blight of eyesore properties and bring homes back into use.

The recommendations had been agreed by the executive – the district council’s decision-making body – but received the final stamp of approval at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday (January 30).

The number of “long-term vacant” properties across the borough has risen from 302 in October 2013 to 357 in October 2018 against a backdrop of increasing homelessness.

The highest number of empty homes is in Workington with 94, then Maryport with 49 followed by Keswick with 29 and Cockermouth with 23.

But council chiefs believe the council tax premium hike, which will kick in from April, will increase the availability of accommodation available to buy or rent.

From April 1, owners of properties that have remained empty and unfurnished for at least two years will pay a 100 per cent premium; 200 per cent for at least five years; and 300 per cent for a decade.

For the last six years, billing authorities in England have had the discretion to charge a premium of up to 50 per cent on “long-term empty dwellings” – homes that have stood empty and mostly unfurnished for at least two years on top of council tax payments.

But in November last year, the chancellor announced plans to introduce legislation that would allow billing authorities like Allerdale to increase the premium from 50 per cent to 100 per cent.

The premium does not apply to homes that are empty because the former occupant is living in armed service accommodation, or annexes used as part of a main property.

Coun Barbara Cannon, Executive Member for Corporate Resources, stressed that the changes would not bring any additional homes within the scope of a premium only those that would have already been liable.

She added: “I have been contacted by several councillors who have within their wards long-term derelict buildings. It is and has been a problem. We talked about the carrot and the stick and one of the things I want to emphasise is that there are some people who have some genuine difficulties in getting their properties back into use. This council does talk to people and if they approach us and say ‘There is a problem’ we will look at it.

Solway Coast councillor Tony Markley asked if the premium would include properties under renovation.

But coun Cannon said it only applied to buildings that have already been charged the 50 per cent premium.

She added that a discount of up to 75 per cent could be awarded in certain cases and urged anyone facing difficulties to contact the council.