Rhondda Cynon Taf has become the first Welsh council to agree to a council tax exemption for care leavers up to the age of 25.
A cabinet meeting yesterday agreed to recommendations to provide care leavers aged 18-25 with a 100% Discretional Council Tax Relief.
This would come into effect from April 1, 2018.
‘The council has a responsibility as a corporate parent to support young people in its care, and cabinet’s agreement to introduce a 100% Council Tax Relief will ensure this support continues when the young people become care leavers,’ said Cllr Mark Norris, the cabinet member for Corporate Services
‘The Relief will be a real help to young people leaving care who, without the support of family, are required to manage their money for the first time.’
The expected cost to the council of this relief will be £10,000 a year.
Cllr Christina Leyshon, the council’s deputy cabinet member for Children and Young People, added: ‘The council already provides support for looked after children, and care leavers, through programmes such as Step in the Right Direction and Care2Work – which offers tailored support and encouragement for young people in care to enter education or employment.
‘The decision to exempt care leavers from council tax further supports this transition into independent living as young adults – an approach which is supported by the Children’s Society and has the backing of the Children’s Commissioner.’
