Issue - meetings

   Report by Corporate Director Terance Herbert

Councillor Laura Mayes presented the report seeking endorsement from Cabinet for the proposed exemption of Wiltshire Care Leavers from Council Tax.

Councillor Mayes reported that following the implementation of the Children and Social Work Act 2017, the Councils duties and responsibilities to care leavers had been extended. Included in the Act was a requirement to publish a Local Offer for care leavers, providing information about services which the local authority offers that may assist care leavers in, or in preparing for, adulthood and independent living.  Following broad consultation and analysis of local need a draft Local Offer has been prepared, and the Council planned to publish this ahead of National Care Leaver Week beginning on 22^nd October 2018. Of the 215 care leavers, 40 would be liable to pay council tax.

The Cabinet noted that The Local Offer had been scrutinised by the Corporate Parenting Panel, a Rapid Scrutiny Working Group and Children’s Select Committee, who have endorsed the core elements included in the Offer.

In response to questions raised by Councillor Ruth Hopkinson, about the number of care leavers housed outside of Wiltshire and whether they would also be included in the arrangements, Councillor Mayes confirmed that they would be included in the Offer.

The Cabinet heard from Councillor Philip Whitehead, reported that the total cost of the scheme would be in the region of £60,000 and shared by the Council, Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire and Dorset Fire and Rescue Authority. He confirmed that the Council’s share would be absorbed within the Collection Fund, and the other two major precepting authorities detailed above had accepted their share of the cost. 

Recommended to Full Council:

That Wiltshire Council Care Leavers are exempted from Council Tax, to include care leavers whom live within and outside the Wiltshire Council boundary, as set out in appendix B to the report.

Reason for Decision:

This proposal will assist care leavers in, or in preparing for, adulthood and independent living and thus support us in delivering our statutory duties.