Council tax exemption for care leavers | Eithrio pobl sy’n gadael gofal o dalu’r dreth gyngor

Council tax exemption for care leavers

CARE leavers in Carmarthenshire could soon be exempt from council tax payments until they reach the age of 25.

The council’s executive board has agreed the proposal, which will now go to full council for approval before being implemented.

It will currently affect over 80 young people who have left local authority care in Carmarthenshire.

Cllr Glynog Davies, executive board member for education and children’s services, proposed the motion to council in January in a move unanimously supported by all members.

A report by officers said the move would cost the authority around £6,000 a year.

Cllr David Jenkins, executive board member for resources, said: “The council seeks to support young people that have left its care in order that they may live independently as adults.

“Providing council tax discretionary discounts which waives any council tax liability faced by care leavers and therefore ensures the care leaver does not face potential council tax debt.”

Speaking at this week’s executive board, Cllr Glynog Davies said: “As councillors we are corporate parents. That care should continue after the young people have left our care.

“Going out into the real world can be a struggle – many care leavers struggle to manage, so this exemption will be of great assistance to them.

“Our own children often boomerang home and want help and advice at times. We should show the same compassion to care leavers, even if it’s a telephone call every now and again to see how they are getting on.”

Eithrio pobl sy’n gadael gofal o dalu’r dreth gyngor

CYN bo hir, gallai pobl sy’n gadael gofal yn Sir Gaerfyrddin gael eu heithrio o dalu’r dreth gyngor tan eu bod yn 25 oed.

Mae Bwrdd Gweithredol y Cyngor wedi cytuno ar y cynnig, a fydd bellach yn mynd gerbron y cyngor llawn am gymeradwyaeth cyn cael ei weithredu.

Ar hyn o bryd, bydd hyn yn effeithio ar dros 80 o bobl ifanc sydd wedi gadael gofal yr awdurdod lleol yn Sir Gaerfyrddin.

Cyflwynodd y Cynghorydd Glynog Davies, yr Aelod o’r Bwrdd Gweithredol dros Addysg a Gwasanaethau Plant, y cynnig i’r Cyngor ym mis Ionawr a chafodd gefnogaeth unfrydol gan yr holl aelodau.

Dywedodd adroddiad gan swyddogion y byddai’r cynnig yn costio oddeutu £6,000 y flwyddyn i’r awdurdod.

Dywedodd y Cynghorydd David Jenkins, yr Aelod o’r Bwrdd Gweithredol dros Adnoddau: “Mae’r Cyngor yn ceisio cefnogi pobl ifanc sydd wedi gadael ei ofal er mwyn iddynt allu byw’n annibynnol fel oedolion.

“Mae darparu gostyngiadau yn ôl disgresiwn o ran y dreth gyngor yn cael gwared ar unrhyw atebolrwydd o ran y dreth gyngor gan bobl sy’n gadael gofal ac felly’n sicrhau nad yw pobl sy’n gadael gofal yn wynebu dyledion posibl o ran y dreth gyngor.”

Dywedodd y Cynghorydd Glynog Davies, wrth siarad yng nghyfarfod y Bwrdd Gweithredol yr wythnos hon: “Fel Cynghorwyr, rydym yn rhieni corfforaethol. Dylai’r gofal hwnnw barhau ar ôl i’r bobl ifanc adael ein gofal.

“Gall mynd allan i’r byd go iawn fod yn anodd ac mae nifer o bobl sy’n gadael gofal yn cael anhawster ymdopi felly bydd yr eithriad hwn o gymorth mawr iddyn nhw.

“Yn aml, mae ein plant ein hunain yn dychwelyd adref er mwyn cael cymorth a chyngor ar adegau. Dylem ddangos yr un tosturi tuag at bobl sy’n gadael gofal, hyd yn oed os yw hynny’n golygu galwad ffôn nawr ac yn y man i weld sut mae pethau’n mynd gyda nhw.”