The Resources Overview & Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to meet on Wednesday 24 September 2025 in the Council Chamber, Moorlands House, Leek. The agenda included discussion of the Empty Property Strategy, an AES Performance Overview and an update on the Efficiency Programme (Asset Management Plan). Some items, including the Devolution and LGR Sub Committee Update, were scheduled to be discussed in private session due to the confidential nature of the information.

Empty Property Strategy

The Resources Overview & Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to discuss the Empty Property Strategy and a recommendation was expected to be made to the cabinet. The strategy's objectives include bringing empty properties back into use, using enforcement action for long-term empty homes, raising awareness of empty property issues, and improving housing conditions.

The report pack included the Empty Property Strategy as Appendix A and the Enforced Sales Policy as Appendix B.

The Empty Property Strategy outlined that empty properties can negatively impact the community and represent a wasted resource. The strategy was reviewed to provide updated information on the current context, available assistance, and approaches to dealing with empty properties, including residential and commercial properties.

The report pack stated that Enforced Sales policies have been used effectively by neighbouring councils as an alternative to Compulsory Purchases¹ and Empty Dwelling Management Orders². They allow authorities to deal with difficult long-term properties through acquiring ownership to sell the property or land at market value, discharging the debt to the council, with the remainder of the cost paid to the owner or descendants, and ultimately bringing the property back into use.

The Enforced Sales Policy (ESP) aims to provide a consistent, transparent service targeted at long-term empty properties. The objectives of the ESP are to bring empty homes back into use, reduce the impact on the environment and neighbouring occupants, and reduce debt owed to the authority.

The criteria for enforcing the sale of long-term empty properties include:

• The total debt on the property exceeding £10,000
• The property being empty for over 6 months
• The property being registered with the Land Registry
• The necessary Enforcement Notices and documentation having been served

The report pack stated that the use of this policy would contribute towards improving the condition of private sector housing stock within the district. The re-occupation of long-term empty homes would improve the visual appearance of properties and the area, reduce fly-tipping, theft, squatting, and other forms of crime and anti-social behaviour.

AES Performance Overview

The Resources Overview & Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to receive a performance overview of Alliance Environmental Services (AES). The report pack stated that this would be an overview of council-controlled companies.

Efficiency Programme

The Resources Overview & Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to receive an update on the Efficiency Programme (Asset Management Plan). The report pack stated that this would be a report back on regular milestones, working group progress and officer activities.

Work Programme

The Resources Overview & Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to review their work programme for the coming months. According to the Resources 2025-2026 for publication document, the panel expected to discuss the following topics in future meetings:

• Annual Health and Safety Report 2024- 2025
• Income (Efficiency Programme)
• Workforce Development
• Alliance Norse (Efficiency Programme)
• Devolution and LGR Sub Committee Update