Renfrewshire Council is pursuing the owners of a number of listed buildings over unpaid non-domestic rates as concerns were raised about the future of some historic properties.
Councillors heard that 12 of 36 unoccupied listed buildings subject to a reduced rates relief scheme are not currently paying the 90 per cent charge applied to vacant properties.
The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board on Thursday, 11th June.
Councillor James McLaren asked what action could be taken against owners who were failing to pay and suggested the council could consider stronger measures to prevent historic buildings from falling into further decline.
He said: “What can be done to get them to start making payment, or perhaps as an alternative for the council to force a sale, or maybe even compulsory purchase orders so that we do not lose another TA building?”
Council officers explained that the authority follows the same recovery process used for other non-domestic rates debts.
Officers said reminder notices are issued before the council applies for a summary warrant through the sheriff court. Once granted, cases can be passed to sheriff officers who have a range of powers available to pursue outstanding debts.
The board heard that sheriff officers Walker Love are currently used by the council to undertake recovery action where required.
An officer said: “With any rates debt, we would go through our normal recovery processes. We would issue the standard reminder and, if there was still non-payment, we would apply for a summary warrant through the sheriff court, which would then allow the matter to be passed to our sheriff officers, Walker Love, who have a number of diligence powers in their possession to take recovery action.”
Councillors were also told that, in rare circumstances, further action such as sequestration can be considered, although officers said this was uncommon for non-domestic rates cases because of the costs involved.
The discussion took place during consideration of a report on the council’s Empty Property Relief Scheme for listed buildings.
The scheme is designed to encourage the reuse of vacant listed buildings while ensuring owners continue to contribute towards local services through non-domestic rates.