To approve a new council tax discount to care leavers from the age of 18 until their 25th birthday.

The new council tax discretionary relief award is aimed at reducing housing costs that may be experienced by care leavers by granting up to 100% discretionary relief from council tax.

That:

(a)  the council tax discretionary relief award attached at appendix 1 be approved for implementation from 1 November 2018.

1.         To not approve the discount award If not approved then council tax relief for care leavers would not be implemented. This is not recommended due to the policy being recommended in line with supporting the council’s corporate priorities of:

a.    Enable residents to live safe, healthy and independent lives, and

b.    Keep children and young people safe and give them a great start in life

 In particular for looked after children and care leavers the council has a responsibility as corporate parent.  Herefordshire Council’s Corporate Parenting Strategy sets out the council’s approach including:

·         accepting responsibility for children in the council’s care (and care leavers)

·         making their needs a priority

·         seeking for them the same outcomes any good parent would want for their own children.

2.    To offer a varying method of discount. This is not recommended because it would be costly to administer.