TEN former Worcester mayors are calling for authorities to be given greater powers to tackle empty buildings in the city.
They want Worcester MP Tom Collins to lobby the government for change, saying Worcester City Council is currently “powerless” to improve the situation.
David Clark, who was mayor from 2001 to 2002 and a city councillor for more than 20 years, is leading the campaign for policy change.
BACKING: Current city and county councillor Alan Amos is among the former mayors to have signed a letter to Worcester MP Tom Collins (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)
“Long-term vacant retail premises are increasingly causing our cities and towns to appear run down,” he said in a letter to Mr Collins.
“This is to the detriment of the commercial viability of the rest who are doing their best to survive.”
Mr Clark’s letter is signed by fellow former mayors Margaret Leyland, Robert Rowden, Gareth Jones, Stephen Inman, Lucy Hodgson, David Tibbutt, Alan Amos, Roger Knight and Stephen Hodgson.
“This blight has gone on far too long and with no end in sight,” said Mr Clark.
“Councils appear powerless to exercise any action to improve the situation.
NO EXCUSES: Stephen Hodgson and other former mayors say councils are currently powerless to improve the situation regarding empty buildings (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
“It is acknowledged that Worcester is not as badly affected as many other cities and towns but that must not be an excuse for accepting the situation.
“Positive practical suggestions and innovative ideas are the only solution. With a Labour-led council and a Labour MP, we are in an excellent position to lobby Government.
“Proactive thinking with the will to find ways round this impasse is essential.
“Is there a way for the city council to establish, in the city centre, a designated area and pass specific bylaws with fines for non-compliance?
“Allowing a property to become an eyesore needs a penalty high enough (e.g. equal to the rates charge) to persuade the owner to keep the property in good order.”
Mr Clark said there should also be an incentive for owners to find a new tenant or a new use for properties that have been empty for at least two years.
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“Perhaps there should be an annual charge equal to double what the rates tax would be.
“This extra charge could be mitigated in full or in part, if the shop window is made available for display or promotion by a local organisation.
“Naturally, all income from these charges should be ring-fenced for use in cleaning up the city centre and reimbursing the council for any additional officer costs.”
We have asked Mr Collins and the city council for comment.
