Cheshire East should consider increasing the council tax rate on empty homes to help boost its coffers and help the housing crisis, a councillor has said.

Cheshire East currently charges the full amount of council tax for properties that are empty for between one and five years, 200 per cent for those empty between five and 10 years and 300 per cent for any that have been vacant for more than 10 years.

Conservative group leader Stewart Gardiner told yesterday's (Monday) meeting of the finance sub-committee at Crewe Municipal Buildings: "I was rather interested to read the percentages we charge for empty properties.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner, Knutsford, Conservative (CEC).

"I think perhaps we should be reviewing that.

"I do know that authorities not so many miles from here have charges significantly more for two to five years than we are currently charging."

He said hiking up the charge would have two effects.

"It will assist with our revenue, but it also will serve to reduce the number of empty properties we have in the borough and, given there's a need for additional housing, it does make sense to find some way of encouraging people to bring those properties back into use," said the Knutsford councillor.

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An officer said a report would be brought to a future meeting of the committee.

READ MORE: Cheshire East to look into officer decision making process and reports.

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