Stafford Borough Council leader Aidan Godfrey has called for faster compulsory-purchase processes and stronger sanctions after the owners of Greyfriars House were ordered to pay more than £56,000.
Eaglemount Limited was prosecuted after failing to comply with a section 215 enforcement notice requiring it to secure and tidy the former job centre.
Following a trial on 28 September, the company received a £1,000 fine, daily penalties totalling £52,700, £2,000 in costs and a £400 surcharge.
Prosecution has not fixed the building
Godfrey welcomed the prosecution but said the lengthy legal process had not resolved the underlying condition of the building.
Call for new powers
He urged ministers to consider enhanced charges on empty properties, greater powers for councils to take ownership where there is a clear public-interest case and tougher penalties for non-compliance.
His intervention is a request to ministers; no change to national legislation or new compulsory-purchase power has yet been agreed.
