Issue - meetings
Care Leavers Council Tax Exemption
Meeting: 04/11/2019 - Executive (Item 58)
Report of Executive Director Finance (Interim)
Purpose of report
To provide members with a draft policy proposing a Council Tax Discount Scheme for Care Leavers from April 2020.
Recommendations
The meeting is recommended:
1.1 To approve that Care Leavers are determined as a class for the purpose of Section 13A(1)c of The Local Government Finance Act 1992.
1.2 To approve the implementation of a Council Tax Discount for Care Leavers from 1 April 2020.
1.3 To approve the Memorandum of Understanding as an agreement between the Oxfordshire Authorities to share the financial commitment to support care Leavers.
1.4 To seek a decision as to whether the Authorities should approach Thames Valley Police and town and parish councils to make a financial contribution proportionate to their precepts.
Additional documents:
- Appendix A - Table of estimated financial implications and liability split, item 58
PDF 98 KB
- Appendix B - Memorandum of Understanding, item 58
PDF 75 KB
- Appendix C - Cherwell District Council Care leaver discount policy 2019, item 58
PDF 131 KB
- Webcast for Council Tax Discount Scheme across Oxfordshire District Councils and Oxfordshire County Councils
Decision:
Resolved
(1) That the Care Leavers are determined as a class for the purpose of Section 13A(1)c of The Local Government Finance Act 1992 be approved.
(2) That the implementation of a Council Tax Discount for Care Leavers from 1 April 2020 be approved.
(3) That the Memorandum of Understanding as an agreement between the Oxfordshire Authorities to share the financial commitment to support care Leavers be approved.
(4) That the Authorities should approach Thames Valley Police and town and parish councils to make a financial contribution proportionate to their precepts.
Minutes:
The Executive Director Finance (Interim) submitted a report to provide members with a draft policy proposing a Council Tax Discount Scheme for Care Leavers from April 2020.
Resolved
(1) That the Care Leavers are determined as a class for the purpose of Section 13A(1)c of The Local Government Finance Act 1992 be approved.
(2) That the implementation of a Council Tax Discount for Care Leavers from 1 April 2020 be approved.
(3) That the Memorandum of Understanding as an agreement between the Oxfordshire Authorities to share the financial commitment to support care Leavers be approved.
(4) That the Authorities should approach Thames Valley Police and town and parish councils to make a financial contribution proportionate to their precepts.
Reasons
Local Authorities have been recommended to consider exempting care leavers from Council Tax using existing discretionary powers under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act.
Members are asked to approve the implementation of a Council Tax Discount for Care Leavers from 1 April 2020 and the associated policy and Memorandum of Understanding.
Alternative options
Option 1: To not agree the proposed scheme. This would have a potential reputational risk for the authority and have an impact on some of our most vulnerable residents.