Council to debate empty-homes problem

COUNCILLORS will discuss ways to reduce the number of empty homes across England at tomorrow’s full council meeting.

The motion will be moved by Liberal Democrat Councillor Roger Hindle, Shadow Cabinet Member for housing, transport and planning.

Councillor Hindle will tell members there are over 700,000 empty homes acros the country, and hundreds of thousands of families in need of somewhere to live.

The Government has allocated £160 million to try and get these houses back into use, £3.6 million of which is for Greater Manchester.

“I am sure Oldham alone could use all of the money given to Greater Manchester,” says Coucillor Hindle.

Lib-Dems will ask the council to welcome recent initiatives on the Empty Homes Fund, New Homes Bonus and the Empty Homes Premium, which will assist Oldham Council in tackling the current housing shortages.

They will also push for the investment of the remaining Government money available under the Empty Homes Fund as a matter of priority.

The meeting will be streamed live online in a bid to make local democracy more accessible to Oldhamers.





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