Purpose

To consider and approve the Draft Empty Homes
Strategy.

Decision

The Cabinet has
 
(1) 
considered and approved the Draft Empty Homes Strategy 2026-2031
(Appendix 1); and
 
(2) 
delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Place and the
Corporate Director of Finance and Resources (S151 Officer) in
consultation with the Executive Councillor for Economy,
Regeneration and Housing and Executive Councillor for Resident
Services and Corporate Performance to initiate and progress
enforcement action against the owners of long-term empty properties
where:
 
· 
the property is causing blight, nuisance or negative community
impact;
 
· 
the owner has failed to engage with the Council despite reasonable
attempts to contact them; and
 
· 
no credible plan has been provided to bring the property back into
use within a reasonable timeframe.
 

Reasons for the decision

To ensure that the Council has strategy that
outlines the approach to dealing with empty homes across the
District.
 
Creating a better Huntingdonshire for future
generations.

Alternative options considered

The Council has chosen to appoint an Empty Homes
Officer to deal with the issue of long term Empty Homes, this
strategy has been developed with the benefit of advice from the
Empty Homes Network and other Empty Homes Officers Good Practice
guidance. 
 
The report asks that the Draft Empty Homes
Strategy 2026-2031 be recommended to go out to consultation and
that any changes from feedback received will be considered and
taken to the Council’s Cabinet in March 2026.
 
The Council could choose not to adopt an Empty
Homes Strategy, but this would prevent the Council taking action on
empty homes and using powers open to Local Authorities.