The issue of empty council homes in Northumberland has become a point of contention, with local politicians engaging in a heated debate about its impact on the housing crisis in the area.
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00:00The issue of empty council homes in Northumberland has become a point of contention with local politicians engaging in a heated debate about its impact on the housing crisis in the area.
00:10The criticism stems from the discovery of more than 300 council properties standing vacant, as revealed by a Freedom of Information request.
00:18This figure, which stood at 310 empty properties by the end of February, had slightly decreased to 288 by mid-March.
00:25Emma Foodie, the Labour MP for Cramlin Inn and Killingworth, has raised concerns that the number of vacant homes in Northumberland is exacerbating the county's ongoing housing crisis.
00:35She argued that these properties, which remain empty for extended periods, not only contribute to a shortage of available homes, but also result in a loss of rental income.
00:44At present, there are approximately 14,000 people on the housing waiting list.
00:48She argued that the failure to utilise available properties effectively only worsens this situation, leaving people without the security of homes, while also wasting taxpayers' money.
00:58Foodie called for an urgent debate on how to address the issue of vacant homes, suggesting that the property should be kept in use and not left standing empty for months at a time.
01:08In response to the criticism, the leader of Northumberland County Council, Conservative Councillor Glenn Sanderson, hit back at Foodie's claims.
01:15Sanderson stressed that the council's void rate is relatively low compared to similar authorities, with just 2% of the council's 8,700 homes currently standing empty.
01:25He pointed out that other local councils in the region often have void rates ranging from 3 to 4%, making Northumberland's rate significantly lower.
01:33The council leader also defended the council's handling of empty properties, explaining that many of these homes are either being demolished or undergoing substantial renovations, to ensure they meet modern standards of living.
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