The High Peak Borough Council's Corporate Select Committee convened on 15 September 2025, for a virtual meeting. Key items on the agenda included a review of the first quarter financial, performance, and procurement report, and a discussion on the updated Empty Property Strategy. The committee agreed to recommend that the Executive approve the Empty Property Strategy and associated Enforced Sales Policy.

First Quarter Finance, Performance and Procurement Report

The committee reviewed the council's financial, procurement, and performance position for the first quarter of 2025/26. The First Quarter Finance Performance and Procurement Report provided an overview of the council's performance against its strategic aims, highlighting both successes and areas needing improvement.

Key financial headlines included a forecast general fund underspend of £158,530, though £61,610 in efficiencies still needed to be found to meet targets. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was forecast to be in deficit by £1,363,822, which is £293,722 more than anticipated. The General Fund Capital Programme budget was £17.24 million, with a provisional underspend of £1.156 million forecast. Cash investments totalled £18.6 million, and external borrowing was £73.3 million. There was a forecast overspend of £147,800 on net interest costs. Revenue collection rates for council tax and business rates were slightly down compared to the previous year.

Procurement performance was reported at 96% during the period from 1 April to 30 June 2025, with 40 procurement activities completed. The procurement forward plan included 52 activities for completion or commencement in 2025/26.

In terms of performance, 71% of key performance indicators were on track to be met, with 34% performing better than in the previous year. The council closed 77 complaints and received 79 comments, 19 MP comments, and 14 compliments.

Several specific issues were raised:

• The Springs Shopping Centre in Buxton is forecast to be in a positive trading position of £182,690, which will be held in an earmarked reserve.
• A loss of income of £49,400 is forecast due to the delayed reopening of Glossop indoor markets.
• An overspend of £147,800 is forecast on net interest costs.
• The council is anticipating a £793,710 increase in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) grant, though this is still subject to confirmation.
• There are ongoing issues with infrastructure at leisure centres, including the New Mills Leisure Centre and MyActive Glossop (formerly Glossop Leisure Centre), due to decarbonisation projects and the presence of RAAC[^2] respectively. [^2]: Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, a lightweight form of concrete used in construction that has recently been found to be at risk of collapse.

The committee resolved to note the Fourth Quarter 2024/25 financial, procurement and performance position, recommend that the Executive approve the proposed reserve movements, and note the carry forward of unspent capital budget.

Empty Property Strategy

The committee reviewed the updated Empty Property Strategy and Enforced Sales Policy, aimed at bringing long-term empty properties back into use. The objectives of the strategy include:

• Bringing empty properties back into use through advice, assistance, and support.
• Using enforcement action to bring long-term, problematic empty homes back into use.
• Raising awareness of empty property issues.
• Minimising the number of properties that become long-term empty.

The strategy targets residential properties that have been inactive in the housing market for over six months or are considered problematic. It also addresses empty commercial properties identified as problematic or part of area-based regeneration activity.

The strategy outlines various options for dealing with empty properties, including offering information on funding, such as the Home Repairs Assistance grant, and working with owners to understand the reasons for vacancy and explore solutions. The council also employs an Empty Homes Officer to implement the strategy and work with property owners.

The Enforced Sales Policy is intended as an alternative to Compulsory Purchase Orders¹ and Empty Dwelling Management Orders, allowing the council to acquire ownership of properties with outstanding debts and sell them to recover the debt and bring the property back into use. As of October 2024, there were 272,080 homes empty for more than six months in England, with a slightly higher proportion in High Peak (1.47% of dwellings) compared to the national average (1.06%). The strategy also notes that 9.3% of business premises in High Peak are empty for longer than six months.

The committee agreed to recommend that the Executive approve the Empty Property Strategy and Enforced Sales Policy.

Question from Councillor Collins

Councillor Joanna Collins, Leader of the Green Group, asked how the council would reconcile increased housing targets with objectives for reducing carbon emissions and nature recovery, given that new housing is carbon intensive and destructive of green space.

The Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor for Planning and Community Safety responded that the new standard method housing requirements are mandatory minimums, and the council must plan to meet the target in conjunction with the Peak District National Park Authority. They also noted that embedded carbon is primarily a matter for building regulations, not planning, and that new development is required to demonstrate a 10% biodiversity net gain. The council has taken steps to bring existing vacant or empty properties back into use, including implementing maximum charging arrangements for second homes and employing empty property officers.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Collins asked whether the council would consider producing a sustainability checklist for development, and the Leader advised that this would be considered as part of the Local Plan Review.

Other Matters

The committee also received an update on Local Government Reorganisation, and noted the Select Committee Work Programme.