Decision details

The Committee gave consideration to a report proposing that the Council’s policy for the application of Empty Property Relief for properties on the Non-Domestic Rates valuation roll from 1 April 2023 would mirror the current arrangements as set by the Scottish Government. This would allow time for an Empty Property Review to be conducted, and consultation to be undertaken both within the Council and with external stakeholders such as local businesses.  It was proposed that a report be presented to the Policy and Resources Committee in October 2023 with recommendations for the relief scheme from April 2024 onwards.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee approved the Empty Property Relief Scheme for Argyll and Bute whereby;

1.    from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 the scheme will be identical to the current arrangements for Empty Property Relief; and

2.    a paper would be presented to Policy and Resources Committee in October 2023 on changes to the policy following consultation with stakeholders internal and external to the Council.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Financial Services dated 27 September 2022, submitted)