Council could earn £75,000 in new rates on empty premises

Council could earn £75,000 in new rates on empty premises

8 August 2012

HARD-pressed ratepayers could be in line for a £75,000 windfall.

Down Council is taking part in a new initiative with Land and Property Services (LPS) to inspect empty commercial properties across the district and issue rates bills to their owners.

The exercise is expected to generate around £100,000, but the council’s participation in the scheme, which will require a dedicated officer to work on the project, is expected to cost £25,000.

Details of the amount of cash the local authority can generate from issuing rates bills to the owners of empty commercial properties was outlined at last week’s meeting of Down Council’s Building Control and Estates Committee.

Council official Greg Bradley said there are around 200 vacant commercial properties across the district, explaining detailed work is required to determine the correct figure.

He said all buildings suspected of not being issued with rates bills have to be surveyed and photographed and an examination of various documentation relating to them.

Mr. Bradley said it will be necessary to appoint a member of staff to undertake this particular project on a “task and finish basis,” the cost of which is in the region of £25,000.

“Engaging in this initiative with Land and Property Services will produce a direct cost benefit to Down Council,” he added.

Councillor Willie Clarke said the council investment will recoup a significant amount of money for ratepayers and that it makes sense to participate in the scheme being spearheaded by Land and Property Services.

Councillor Garth Craig also backed the council’s participation in the scheme, while Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe asked council officials to investigate how many empty buildings the local authority owns across the district.