Council Tax exemption for care leavers
Young people leaving care in Cardiff are now exempt from paying Council Tax in the city.
Following the passing of a motion to exempt care leavers from Council Tax at Full Council in November 2017, Cabinet have approved a discount of up to 100% for care leavers in the city up until their 25thbirthday.
A 2015 report by The Children's Society found that care leavers are a vulnerable group for council tax debt and that moving into independent accommodation and managing their own budget fully for the first time could be challenging, particularly if they are falling behind with council tax payments.
There is no specific exemption for care leavers in Council Tax legislation but the Council already has a Council Tax Discretionary Relief policy, allowing for council tax reductions to be applied on a case by case basis. A new exemption class for care leavers will be included in this policy.
Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, Cllr Chris Weaver, said: "The Council has the responsibility to keep the children and young people in Cardiff looked after by the authority safe, seeking the same outcomes for them that every good parent would want for their own children.
"Care leavers are among the most vulnerable groups in our community and by apply a Council Tax discount until they are 25, we will help to relieve some of the initial pressures on our young people as they transition from care to adult life, lessening their chances of falling into debt as they learn to manage their own finances."