An initiative by Argyll and Bute Council to bring empty homes in the area back into use has received an award.

The Council's Housing and Council Tax teams took a silver award at this year's Institute of Revenues, Ratings and Valuations (IRRV) Performance Awards 2014 in the 'Excellence in Innovation' category.

As part of the programme, introduced by the local authority last year, the empty homes initiatives aim to restore derelict or empty properties in the region and bring them back into use; thereby increasing the level of affordable housing available to those living in Argyll and Bute. Since August 2013, 539 empty properties have been brought back into use.

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Some of the measures in the project include incentives like refurbishment grants or low cost loans to the property owners, on the condition that the property is made available for affordable rent, while a double council tax can be implemented on homes which have been left empty for a lengthy period of time.

Douglas Hendry, Argyll and Bute Council's Director for Customer Services, said: "The success of this policy is due in no small part to the close joint working of the two council teams, sharing information and making sure that everyone – owners and the local community – know about the benefits that this can bring. The approach is validated by this national recognition as a an example of innovative practice.

"What is most important, of course, is that this brings real results – that local people have more options when it comes to finding affordable homes. Five hundred and thirty homes brought back into use is an excellent achievement and this national award reflects the teams' hard work."

(JP/CD)