The Children's Society thanks council for 'pioneering decision' to exempt care leavers from council tax

Councillor Richard Farnell, the leader of Rochdale Borough Council

Peter Grigg, Director of External Affairs at 'The Children's Society' has sent a personal note of thanks to Council Leader Richard Farnell for Rochdale Borough Council being the first local authority in Greater Manchester to introduce council tax exemption for care leavers.

A council tax discount of 100% for foster carers and care leavers for those who live in the borough, who are recruited on or after 1 April 2017 and are looking after adolescents between 13 and 17 years of age, was approved at last week's Budget Fixing Council.

In his letter, Mr Grigg said: "To expect some of the country's most vulnerable young people to start paying council tax just days after leaving care is setting them up to fail. That's why The Children's Society has been calling on local authorities to exempt those leaving care from paying council tax."

He added: "I hope other councils in Greater Manchester, and beyond, will take Rochdale's example and implement this important policy."

Councillor Farnell said: "It's really nice to receive thanks from the Children's Society for Rochdale Council's pioneering decision to exempt care leavers from council tax."