A TOP level meeting is being held in Burnley to discuss the implications of new laws which could mean extra council tax charges for the owners of empty homes.

Current regulations for empty homes means that owners of properties receive the first six months of a year free. After six months the owner is then liable for half the charge for the property.

The Government is looking at making changes to the regulations which would mean owners of properties that are left empty for long periods would be liable for the full charge.

Although there are 4,000 empty homes and the extra revenue raised by any changes to the legislation would be welcome, Burnley Council could lose out.

The council has been told that any extra money raised would be pooled and redistributed among all local authorities.

That would effectively mean an unexpected cash windfall for areas with few empty homes and a shortfall for towns like Burnley where the number of empty properties is seen as a problem.

Burnley MP Peter Pike is due to meet the leader of Burnley Council, Stuart Caddy, and chief executive Gillian Taylor next week to discuss the issue.

Mr Pike said: "I want to make sure that money raised will go into areas where there are problems and deprivation.

"And I am worried that ordinary residents who have homes they are having trouble selling, but have moved out, will have to pay council tax on houses they can't get rid of. If someone has bought a home and they are either renting it and getting Housing Benefit then, of course, I am not sympathetic to them.

"And people who own second homes which they have bought cheap and are hoping to make money by holding them in the hope the value of the home goes up, should be made to pay.

"My main concern is the ordinary resident. There has got to be a flexibility at local level."

Councillors have been informed of the Government's intentions.