Council leader calls for stronger powers to tackle derelict buildings

Cllr Aidan Godfrey's comments came in relation to a prosecution the council pursued against the owners of a former job centre in Stafford, which had been left in disrepair and was described as an “eyesore”.

The council had previously issued an enforcement notice requiring repairs and the boarding up of broken windows.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates' Court found the owners guilty of breaching the notice late last month (28 September).

Magistrates handed the owners a £1,000 fine, alongside fines of £100 for every day the notice had not been complied with, which totalled £52,700. They were also ordered to pay £2,000 in costs and a £400 surcharge.

Following the prosecution, Cllr Godfrey said: “I am really pleased we prosecuted this company and that they have been ordered to pay a significant fine. But the legal process has been lengthy, and the outcome does not scratch the surface of addressing the problem - which is the state they have let the property get into.

“We want to work with owners and businesses to make sure this cannot happen but when they disregard notices or neglect their duties we need to be able to take swift action.

“We share the frustration of our residents and businesses who are angry that this building became a terrible eyesore and haven for vandalism. This is why we need the government to intervene and give us the tools to prevent this from happening time and time again."

He added: "Councils would benefit from a stronger package of powers, including enhanced charges on empty properties, greater ability to take ownership of neglected buildings where there is a clear public interest case and fast-tracked compulsory purchase processes to support regeneration.

“Stronger penalties for non-compliance with existing enforcement powers would also provide an important deterrent."

Adam Carey