Council seeks changes to dilapidation law proposals

RATEPAYERS must not be forced to cover costs - potentially running into millions of pounds, for the repair of privately owned buildings left to decay by their owners.

That was the stance agreed by elected members after considering Causeway Coast and Glens’ response to a consultation on Stormont’s new Dilapidation Bill.

The proposed new laws aim to provide district councils with “a modern, consistent and fit for purpose enforcement regime to deal with the negative impact of dilapidated and dangerous buildings and neglected sites.”

When the council’s submission was debated last month members shared officers’ concerns that the proposed fine of £500 for property owners that fail to comply with enforcement notices was grossly inadequate. It was suggested a sum of £10,000 might be needed to prompt action from developers.

But perhaps of even greater concern was the bill’s potential to create a perception among the public that responsibility for dilapidated buildings lay with the local authority.

That’s because councils would be allowed to take on repairs and then recover costs through the courts.

When the matter was raised in the Chamber once again last Tuesday, the DUP’s Sharon McKillop insisted the council’s consultation response must robustly oppose any obligation on councils to step in.

Her party colleague Mervyn Storey said the proposals were a classic example of Stormont “washing its hands of the dirty stuff” by attempting to hand over powers without allocating resources to enforce them.

Read the full story in this week's Chronicle.