This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules. We have looked at releasing them back into general need but because of where they are and their allocation, we have to be careful. S FLINTSHIRE has more than 200 empty council properties even though theres a waiting list of 4,000 people desperate for homes. The Voids Action Plan was discussed during theCommunity andHousing Overview andScrutiny Committee meeting held on Wednesday, March 8. MORE than a dozen council properties have stood empty for years - costing Flintshire thousands of pounds in lost rental income. Something went wrong, please try again later. Be warned, it can be a lengthy and difficult process and there are many complicated reasons why a home might be empty. Max: 35,000 per unit of accommodation (150,000 per applicant maximum). Dear Mr Evans, I write to acknowledge receipt of your Freedom of Information request which has been given the reference number R013477. K We serve those towns and villages in Flintshire which lie close to River Dee in North East Wales and the border with neighbouring Chester in England. Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, described it as a dereliction of duty. A Property must be covered by buildings insurance until the loan is repaid. Please report any comments that break our rules. Flintshire Council headquarters at County Hall, Mold. The report projects how the authority's budget would stand at the close of the financial year, without new actions to reduce cost pressures and/or improve the financial return on efficiency planning and cost control. However, there are many reasons why properties become vacant long term and the Council wants to help owners to bring these homes back into use. Furthermore, the report also urges councillors to reduce the age of eligibility for sheltered housing from 60 to 55, in line with local housing associations. Editors' Code of Practice. F Empty Property Grant & Living Over the Shops (LOTS), APPLY FOR IT: Empty Property Financial Assistance (PDF - 0.1 MB), Works which make a residential property safe warm and/or secure, 1,000 up to 25,000. U It is the responsibility of home owners to maintain their property and to keep it in good order. I know of four people who have tried to rent it and two people who tried to buy it. It also had 340 long term chargeable empty homes, down on last year's figure of 433. An example would be, works to remedy serious disrepair, provide modern kitchen and bathroom facilities, improve heating systems and insulation, and to remove any serious hazards which could affect the well-being of the occupier, such as dampness, dangerous stairs or electrical wiring. Mr Williams said: Just think about the rent they have lost. The service refurbishes an average 550 empty properties annually, with works varying from minor to major general maintenance and repair works. contact the editor here. Chief housing officer Neal Cockerton said in a report the 2,600 sheltered accommodation properties accounted for just over a third of Flintshire's housing stock. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. Z, Copyright 2023 Clackmannanshire Council Ms Harkin revealed the 19 empty properties in Glan y Morfa Court were not being offered to potential tenants because bedsits were no longer popular. Flintshire County Council's Social Services department Housing Apply for a Council house and find other advice relating to Flintshire County Council's Housing services Jobs and. By viewing our content you are accepting We use cookies on your computer or mobile device to help make this website better. The reasons behind the current void backlog, the challenges both pre and post-COVID that restricted the council operations, were captured in the previous report on voids presented to Scrutiny in late 2022,alongside planned activity to improve performance. The fund, made available to Councils in Wales, enables the Council to provide short to medium term loans to owners of sub-standard properties who pass affordability criteria and who are restricted by other sources of finance. E Cllr Attridge said: The people being let down are the people we represent, the tenants.. Comments have been closed on this article. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. An example would be, works to remedy serious disrepair, provide modern kitchen . , The most economically advantageous tenderer, based on price and quality will be allocated work as first choice and this will continue unless the client feels the tenderers financial threshold is exceeded. , The councils cabinet will be asked to agree on the new framework at a meeting tomorrow, Tuesday 17 July. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. 2. 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Chief housing officer Neal Cockerton said in a report the 2,600 sheltered accommodation properties accounted for just over a third of Flintshire's housing stock. More than 2m has been spent on bringing empty council homes in Flintshire back into use last year. But, the pandemic, Brexit and the war in Ukraine have created a number of challenges for the council's Housing Service over the past two years in particular. Speaking before the meeting, Cllr Bernie Attridge said: This is absolutely dreadful. Work has begun on a 3.1m redevelopment of Aberystwyth railway station in Mid Wales. There are currently around 1300 such properties in Flintshire and the Council has published a strategy to encourage owners of empty property to bring them back into use. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Dear Flintshire County Council, I am a local property developer (Hawarden based) using local tradesmen to renovate property in the area. The result was lost rent of 242,492 in 2018-19, the report said, equivalent to 2.2% of the 11.3m raised from sheltered accommodation tenants. ", The current site of the Cardiff bus station is to become the new home for BBC Cymru Wales. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. For owners of 6 months plus, vacant residential properties to bring up to lettable standard. Meanwhile Flintshire council will get 750,000 from the Welsh Government to redevelop old and empty properties that are difficult to bring back into use. The borough council last night confirmed a total 16 former. 10. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's There are approximately 500 long term empty properties in the County. Bedsits were also "generally unpopular" with older tenants and tended to be used as short-term accommodation. Communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles has granted planning permission to a redevelopment of Pinewood Studios that would almost double its capacity. Analysis showed "a series of issues where some of the schemes appear unpopular", resulting in a high turnover and properties left empty. , Get notified about news from across North Wales, Long delays on A55 in Flintshire following a collision, Ewloe glamping pods plan refused due concerns over impact on open countryside, 24 hour support and advice helpline now available to individuals with autism and neurodivergence, Hospice appeal for volunteers at the ESSAR Chester Half Marathon, Youngsters commend north Wales health board for its commitment to improving patient experience, Cost of Living Crisis: Home appliance costs surge for UK families, Transport watchdog demands urgent action from Transport for Wales to improve rail service reliability, NEWSAR: Phone Find technology helps locate person in need of help in Deeside countryside. The borough council last night confirmed a total 16 former warden properties have been empty, some for several years, while the authority considered its sheltered housing policy. Council tax on empty homes and second homes in 2009-2018 Flintshire County Council. antonyms. Bedsits were also "generally unpopular" with older tenants and tended to be used as short-term accommodation. Analysis showed "a series of issues where some of the schemes appear unpopular", resulting in a high turnover and properties left empty. In addition to setting out the projected positions and projections for various council departments, the report also sets out a number of risks which are being 'tracked.'. , It comes after neighbouring Wrexham Council admitted earlier this month that the external contractors it uses are struggling to keep up with the rate of repairs needed. Challenges faced by the council included the availability of skilled resources, raw materials and linked price increases, all of which impacts negatively on void delivery and turnaround times. A review of sheltered housing in Flintshire is set to be carried out because of an 'excessive' amount of empty properties. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Coun Aaron Shotton, Labour Leader, said: To remove resident wardens and replace them with mobile wardens is a retrograde step that will leave many of our elderly feeling very vulnerable. Your council will then prioritise applications based on who needs a home most urgently. Maximum loan per applicant 150,000. For further information call: 01352 703434, Housing Regeneration and Strategy County Offices Chapel Street Flint Flintshire CH6 5BD. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? An "excessive" number of empty sheltered homes is costing a council nearly a quarter of a million pounds a year in lost rent, officers say. A Gannett Company. . That initiative falls under the Town . Nearest station 2.3mi. Flintshire County Council retains tenancy rights for the duration of the agreement. Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue. Wales-wide reports. , By Liam Randall Local Democracy Reporter. An "excessive" number of empty sheltered homes is costing a council nearly a quarter of a million pounds a year in lost rent, officers say. X Q These applicants are not subject to the conditions relating to the management of the property by a social lettings agency, FCC retaining tenancy rights and the requirement to become an accredited landlord. Among the warden bungalows which have remained empty is a three bedroom bungalow at Lixwm near Holywell, which has been empty for at least six years. Figures released by Wrexham Council . The average age of the council's housing stock is considered to be some of the oldest in the United Kingdom and they are also considerably older than many nearby Local Housing Associations' housing stock. Property & houses for sale in Flintshire Create alert Grid view Map view Sort: Most recent 259,995 3 bedroom semi-detached house for sale Plot 26, The Epsom at Summers Bridge, Welsh Road, Deeside CH5 Nearest station 1.2mi. The Council's Empty Homes Strategy involves working with other appropriate agencies and demonstrates the Council's commitment to improve this problem. Work to turn the former Co-operative store in Newcastle into shops, leisure facilities and a hotel in a 17m redevelopment have begun. Executive member for housing management, Coun Helen Yale, said the situation was one which had existed before she came into office, but now 15 of the 16 had been rented out and Lixwm was under consideration. The report states: "Although, there is continued support via the new Homelessness No One Left Out grant, with a further allocation of 0.256m being confirmed recently, this still falls well below the amount of support the council received via the Hardship Fund in 2020/21 and 2021/22. Loans can be provided for the purpose of improving a residential property to/for: Up to 5 years for landlord loan, 7 years for owner occupiers, HILs can be drawndown by loan recipients in advance, in stages or on completion of the improvement works. The council said if plans were approved it could settle debts to the council, such as council tax arrears, by putting vacant or run-down properties up for auction. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. , The repairs and maintenance team also utilise these contractors when works are either too large or complex to manage. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Applying for a Council Tax discount or reduction. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Committee chair Cllr Helen Brown said: "We need to protect the investment we put in. But the new proposal has already come under fire from Labour opposition on Flintshire, who have pledged to fight it. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. And according to the document, the 'Council Fund' has an operating surplus of almost 700,000. New BBC Wales HQ to be built on Cardiff bus station, Housing fund puts power back in tenants' hands, Regeneration of Newcastle's Co-op building begins. On completion of the works, the property meets the, Maximum loan of 10,000 subject to eligibility testing and loan assessment, Loan is repaid on sale or transfer or cessation of nomination rights. Some homes do not get a Council Tax bill for as long as they stay empty. The portfolio of empty houses includes 27 in Jasmine Crescent, Mold, which are being demolished to make way for a housing complex for the elderly. Minimum loan of 500. If you are concerned that a property is empty in your area report it at emptyhomes@shelter.org.uk or phone the Empty Homes Advice Service on 0344 515 1941. One of these, headed 'homelessness', explains there is a risk due to the cessation of funding from the Welsh Government COVID-19 hardship fund at the end of 2021/22. They might also call it 'social housing'. These include empty homes: "Although it has been possible to contain some of the expected pressure through prepaid accommodation to the end of September 2022, which has been funded by the COVID-19 Hardship Fund, the expected continued high demand for temporary accommodation including short term Bed & Breakfast provision will continue to present significant challenges. Council holds share of property to be repaid on sale or transfer within 2-5 years. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. Flintshire Council has more than 2,600 sheltered homes, which account for more than a third of its total housing stock . B Applicant must have sufficient equity within their property to cover the loan amount, Applicants property must be long term vacant (over 6 months) and the Council satisfied that a housing need exists in the area, Property must be tenanted until the loan is released, Property owner must agree to the property being managed by a social lettings agency. The latest analysis of properties shows a total of 772 properties are currently subject to the 50% premium charge, consisting of 605 long term empty properties and 167 second homes. With this policy the council can begin moving forward to address the issue of vacant homes whilst also recovering monies it is owed. Something went wrong, please try again later. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Empty homes are a waste of resource. All monies will be paid to you on provision of a Contractor(s) invoice on completion of the works. A review by Flintshire County Council showed some . The concern has been raised after the number of households across Flintshire which needed temporary accommodation more than doubled over three months. Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? A review by Flintshire County Council showed some schemes were not popular. Fears over burial space capacity at two Flintshire cemeteries discussed by council, Network Rail confirms when noisy engineering works on the line in Deeside will end. Y Questions were raised over whether or not more regular inspections needed to be carried out in order to ensure that any damage done by tenants was kept to a minimum. Sign up to our free newsletter for the top North Wales stories sent straight to your e-mail. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. Suggested solutions include installing stairlifts, putting in extensive adaptations for people with disabilities, and support to allow residents to do internet shopping. People are desperate for houses and they can see these properties boarded up for weeks.. If you are concerned that a property is empty in your area report it at emptyhomes@shelter.org.uk or phone the Empty Homes Advice Service on 0344 515 1941. Sheltered housing in remote areas suffered from limited access to shops, especially with the closure of local convenience stores, the report said, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, 1st Floor, Chartist Tower, Upper Dock Street, Newport, Wales, NP20 1DW Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. FLINTSHIRE councillors have discussed what the next steps arefor empty houses throughout the county - after atwo year struggledue to various complications. Part furnished. Empty flats could also be used to cut council spending on delayed transfer from care or hospital for people not yet ready to return to their own homes. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. budget, as well as approving a transfer of 200,000 from a contingency reserve to replenish the authority's Winter Maintenance Reserve. The Welsh Government has confirmed it will withdraw its detailed policy on planning for sustainable buildings at the end of next month (July). A proportion of the grant is repayable on sale or transfer if within 5 years. N:B Applications will also be considered from first time buyers who wish to reside at the property themselves and who are also registered on the Councils Affordable Home Ownership Register. The target timescales for the refurbishment of a property classified as a minor void is 20 working days and that figure is45 working days for a major void. the use of cookies. Some flats become unsuitable as tenants grow older, the report said. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. If your application is accepted, you'll go on to a waiting list of people who need a council home. When an empty property is being sold after the death of the owner the property is exempt of Council Tax for 6 months after the granting of probate. This is in the form of an interest free loan to cover works which bring the property up to the Decent Homes Standard. More than 2m has been spent on bringing empty council homes in Flintshire back into use last year. Ratepayers are footing the bill for the 217 void properties, which are estimated to be losing Flintshire County Council 1.5m in rent a year. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to As well as that, the longer a property is empty the less valuable it becomes. If a property is empty longer than 6 months, the Council tax payments are affected. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. The report will be discussed by members of the council's community, housing and assets scrutiny committee at a virtual meeting on Wednesday (November 4, 2020). This loan is to help owners bring empty properties back in to use. Interested applicants should complete an Expression of Interest Form - please download the form below. London Borough of Lambeth: We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. Lists. Please note that the loan is discretionary and an offer of a loan cannot be guaranteed until the applicant has received formal notice of approval. Kilncraigs, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, FK10 1EBTel: 01259 450000Email: customerservice@clacks.gov.uk. Lambeth, London, Grade & Salary: 37,308-40,806 (Grade 6): These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. An "excessive" number of empty sheltered homes is costing a council nearly a quarter of a million pounds a year in lost rent, officers say. Furthermore, the report also urges councillors to reduce the age of eligibility for sheltered housing from 60 to 55, in line with local housing associations. Is climate change killing Australian wine? "This is due to a combination of more new placements and fewer households moving on. Max: 25,000 per unit of accommodation (150,000 per applicant maximum).