Original by South Wales Argus - http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/16212052.Councils_should_follow_Torfaen_s_example_on_care_leavers__says_AM/

COUNCILS across Wales should follow Torfaen’s example and exempt young people leaving care from paying council tax, the area’s AM has said.

Speaking in the Assembly this week Lynne Neagle applauded Torfaen County Borough Council for, in October last year, becoming the first local authority in Wales to allow care leavers to be exempt from the rate until they are 21, or 25 in some cases.

Anglesey has since introduced a similar exemption, while Caerphilly, Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Carmarthenshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf have brought in exemptions for those aged up to 25.

Labour AM Ms Neagle said: “I'm very proud that, despite the challenges of austerity, Torfaen council became the first local authority in Wales to exempt care leavers from paying council tax until 21, or 25 in some circumstances.”

Addressing first minister Carwyn Jones, she said the exemption would “provide care leavers with a vital opportunity to transition and adapt to independent living” and called for all councils in Wales to bring in similar rules.

Mr Jones replied: “Learn from the good example of others, is what I would say.

“We've already asked local authorities to use their powers to exempt care leavers from paying council tax.

“I would not think it's a massive financial hit on the budgets of local authorities.

“I very much welcome what Torfaen has done and the other local authorities. I would very much urge the others to follow suit.”

Conservative AM Janet Finch-Saunders asked Mr Jones to provide funding for councils to be able to pay for exemptions, claiming the total cost across Wales could be £2 million.

But the first minister replied: “Some local authorities have done it already.

"Because they've done it already, I can't see why others cannot follow suit.”

A number of other councils in Wales are reportedly bringing in similar exemptions.