A report from the Children’s Society (The Wolf at the Door) suggests that care leavers are a particularly vulnerable group where debt is concerned. The Council has the ability to support care leavers and award a local discount alleviating Council Tax debt. This fits with the Wirral Plan and aims and objectives and particularly Pledge 3 Young people are ready for work and adulthood and Pledge 5 Reduce child and family poverty.

The Council recognises that the transition of young people out of care and into adulthood is extremely difficult and challenging. Managing money for the first time leaves carer leavers at real risk of falling into debt. One of the ways the Council can alleviate that risk is to support those young people leaving their care by reducing their Council Tax liability to nil, until they are 25.

Resolved – That

1  From 1 April 2018 Wirral care leavers who are aged 18 and up to 25 (to their 25th birthday) are awarded a discount up to 100% on their Council Tax payable.

2.  The discount is awarded in accordance with Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Act 1992.

3  The discount for Wirral care leavers be incorporated within the updated Council’s Discretionary Discount Guidance (attached) and approved.

The alternative is to retain the current approach and not provide the discount.