Caerphilly County Borough Council has committed to tackling the “complex” issue of second homes and empty homes.
More than 1,200 homes in the borough are empty, some of which have been vacant for more than five or ten years.
Plaid Cymru councillor John Roberts, who represents the Aber Valley ward, said these houses “are often left to rot, sometimes causing huge problems for neighbours and communities”.
Cllr Roberts added: “With nearly 5,000 people on the council housing waiting list, strong action is needed.”
On Wednesday, January 26 a motion was passed by the council to look at options to reduce the amount of empty homes in the borough.
Cllr Roberts, who put forward the motion, has suggested doubling council tax on second homes and long-term empty homes – putting the money raised back into projects for all wards.
Financial penalties are stated in the motion as one of the council’s options to tackle the issue.
At the meeting, the council’s deputy leader, Cllr Jamie Pritchard, welcomed the motion, which gained cross-party support.
Cllr Shayne Cook, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said the motion’s cross-party support “highlight how cooperation between differing parties can be very beneficial for residents.”
What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?
A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.
It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.
Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:
- Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
- Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
- Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
- Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
- Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
- Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
- Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
- Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
- Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces
Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.
Last updated October 13, 2023
Cllr Cook also said: “Empty properties is a very complex issue and not an easy one to solve, with the cabinet approving the creation of an Empty Property Team in late 2020.
“But, with the pandemic impacting on recruitment and staffing levels the team has only been fully operational since October 2021.”
The Empty Property Team carries out routine work relating to empty properties, in addition to the delivery of the second phase of the Valley Taskforce Welsh Government Empty Homes Grant programme.
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