00:00Councillor Shane Cook, housing cabinet member, reports the council tax premium has slashed long-term empty homes by 129 across
00:08Care Philly, a clear sign the measures are effective.
00:12The council's empty properties team has helped owners facing higher premiums find solutions, contributing to the steady drop in vacant
00:20privately owned homes.
00:23Councillor Nigel Dix, who leads the independents in the council chamber, said the local authority should also strengthen efforts to
00:30tackle the number of unused council homes.
00:34Cook adds the council is meeting new Welsh Government compliance checks, upgrading homes with modern electrics and safety measures to
00:42keep delivering vacancy reductions.
