Translate the text from English to Welsh.



 
On 21 May the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage published the Housing White Paper: A White Paper for Better Lives and Communities. It outlines the Welsh Government’s long\-term strategy to meet the Welsh Government’s commitment to ensure the provision of good quality affordable homes for everyone in Wales, including a commitment to modernise the private\-rented sector by introducing measures to improve standards of management and property condition.


One of the many areas addressed in the White Paper is the issue of empty properties. A 2010 study by Cambridge University indicated that an additional 284,000 new homes will be needed across Wales by 2026\. The Welsh Local Government Association also undertook a study in 2010 that estimated that 22,000 properties in Wales had been vacant for a period of more than 6 months.


Bringing such empty properties back into use would not only make a significant contribution to meeting the forecast demand for housing, but could also have benefits in terms of improving the local economy, environment and community within which these properties are located. Empty properties can be a blight on local communities, often becoming unsightly if disrepair or vandalism occurs.


One of the tools proposed in the White Paper therefore is to extend local government powers to apply varying levels of council tax to empty properties in Wales. It is proposed that Welsh Ministers grant local authorities the power to levy council tax beyond the full standard council tax on homes that are deemed to have been empty for a long period of time. The proposal would give authorities more freedom to implement policies that are best suited to local circumstances and which could assist most with local housing problems.


Having responsibility for local government and communities, I am very aware of the detrimental affect that a lack of housing can have – on the people involved, on communities and also on local government. As such I am launching this consultation to invite the views of the Welsh public on the use of the council tax system as a possible incentive to bring properties that have been empty for a long period of time back into use, and provide additional housing that is greatly needed. The consultation document also asks for suggestions on the technical aspects that providing this additional power to local authorities might involve, including defining the period when a property is empty before an additional charge can be levied.


The consultation period will run for a period of 3 months and responses are requested by 20 October 2012\. The consultation paper is being issued to local authorities, housing associations, social landlords, advice agencies and other relevant organisations with an interest in local taxation, housing and citizen welfare.


This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Assembly returns I would be happy to do so.







Translation:


 
 

 Ar 21 Mai cyhoeddodd y Gweinidog Tai, Adfywio a Threftadaeth y Papur Gwyn Tai: Papur Gwyn ar gyfer Bywydau Gwell a Chymunedau Gwell. Mae’n amlinellu strategaeth hirdymor Llywodraeth Cymru i gyflawni ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth i sicrhau bod cartrefi fforddiadwy, o safon dda ar gael i bawb yng Nghymru. Mae hefyd yn cynnwys ymrwymiad i foderneiddio’r sector rhentu preifat drwy gyflwyno mesurau i wella safonau rheoli eiddo a chyflwr eiddo.   

 Un o’r amryw feysydd sy’n derbyn sylw yn y Papur Gwyn yw eiddo gwag. Dangosodd astudiaeth gan Brifysgol Caergrawnt yn 2010 y bydd angen 284,000 yn fwy o gartrefi newydd ledled Cymru erbyn 2026\. Cynhaliodd Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru astudiaeth yn 2010 hefyd, a amcangyfrifodd fod 22,000 eiddo yng Nghymru wedi bod yn wag am fwy na chwe mis.  

 Byddai defnyddio eiddo gwag o’r fath unwaith eto yn cyfrannu’n sylweddol at fodloni’r galw am dai a ragwelir. Gallai hefyd arwain at fanteision o ran gwella’r economi leol, yr amgylchedd a’r cymunedau y mae’r eiddo dan sylw yn rhan ohonynt. Gall eiddo gwag ddifetha cymunedau lleol, gan fynd i edrych yn hyll os byddant yn dadfeilio neu’n cael eu fandaleiddio. 

 Un o’r dulliau y mae’r Papur Gwyn yn eu cynnig felly yw ehangu pwerau llywodraeth leol i gymhwyso lefelau amrywiol o dreth gyngor i eiddo gwag yng Nghymru. Cynigir bod Gweinidogion Cymru yn rhoi’r pŵer i awdurdodau lleol godi lefel uwch na’r dreth gyngor lawn safonol ar gartrefi y bernir iddynt fod yn wag am gyfnod maith. Byddai’r cynnig yn rhoi mwy o ryddid i awdurdodau ddilyn polisïau sy’n gweddu orau i amgylchiadau lleol, a’r polisïau a allai eu helpu fwyaf i ddatrys problemau tai lleol.   

 A minnau’n gyfrifol am Lywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau, rwy’n ymwybodol iawn o’r effaith andwyol y gall diffyg tai ei chael – ar y bobl dan sylw, ar gymunedau ac ar lywodraeth leol hefyd. Felly rwy’n lansio’r ymgynghoriad hwn er mwyn gwahodd aelodau’r cyhoedd i roi eu barn ar ddefnyddio’r system dreth gyngor fel cymhelliant posibl i ddefnyddio eiddo sydd wedi bod yn wag ers amser maith unwaith eto, a darparu tai ychwanegol y mae cryn angen amdanynt. Mae’r ddogfen ymgynghori hefyd yn gofyn am awgrymiadau ynghylch yr agweddau technegol a allai fod ynghlwm â rhoi’r pŵer ychwanegol hwn i awdurdodau lleol, gan gynnwys diffinio’r cyfnod y mae eiddo yn wag cyn y gellir codi treth ychwanegol. 

 Cynhelir yr ymgynghoriad dros gyfnod o dri mis a gofynnir am eich ymatebion erbyn 20 Hydref 2012\. Mae’r papur ymgynghori yn cael ei ddosbarthu i awdurdodau lleol, cymdeithasau tai, landlordiaid cymdeithasol, asiantaethau cynghori a sefydliadau perthnasol eraill sydd â diddordeb mewn trethi lleol a lles dinasyddion. 

 Cyhoeddir y datganiad hwn yn ystod y toriad er mwyn rhoi gwybod i’r aelodau. Os bydd yr aelodau yn awyddus imi wneud datganiad pellach neu ateb cwestiynau am y mater hwn pan fydd y Cynulliad yn dychwelyd, byddaf yn falch o wneud hynny.