Decision details

Bracknell Forest Council to allow council tax exemption for Care Leavers (aged 18 - 21).

The Executive noted the positive work the Council was doing in its role as Corporate Parent. The Executive agreed that as part of the ongoing support to care leavers in its role as Corporate Parent, that Council Tax exemption be granted to care leavers aged 18-21.

Bracknell Forest Council’s role as Corporate Parent to care leavers justifies this group of young people being seen as a priority for this exemption. Corporate Parenting is the term used for the collective responsibility of the Council and partners to ensure the care and protection of children and young people in care, and care leavers. This term refers to all elected members and council employees, regardless of the department they are employed in.

A range of Local Authorities across the country have introduced measures to exempt care leavers from Council Tax, (examples below), following publication of The Children’s Society’s ‘Wolf at the Door’ report 2015, which shows care leavers to be a group who are particularly vulnerable to falling into Council Tax debt when they move into independent accommodation for the first time.

As responsible Corporate Parents we want to assist our care leavers to work towards managing independent living in a positive and supportive way.

Not providing this exemption was considered but it was agreed that this would not meet the Council’s objectives as a corporate parent.

None.