IN a bid to boost the number of people in Thurrock who are prepared to foster children, the borough council says anyone who comes forward to do so will not have to pay council tax in future.

"We need more foster carers who live in the borough to provide a loving and caring home for children here in Thurrock and we are willing to invest and pull out all of the stops to support our foster families," says Cllr James Halden, the portfolio holder for social care.

The plan is set to be put to the council's Children's Overview and Scrutiny Committee next month and its Cabinet in November. If everything is approved, the exemption will start at the beginning of the new tax year in April 2021.

Cllr Halden, who earlier this year spoke of his pride in the borough's foster caring service, continued: "Thurrock will be one of a few councils to offer this tax exemption to foster carers. It is our way of saying a massive thank-you to the incredible people who open their hearts and their homes to help vulnerable children.

"Foster caring can be hugely emotionally rewarding but we want to make sure that we can make it as attractive as possible by giving our carers all the support we can, including this kind of innovative financial support.

"We need more foster carers who live in the borough to provide a loving and caring home for children here in Thurrock and we are willing to invest and pull out all of the stops to support our foster families."

People who live in Thurrock who are approved Thurrock Council Foster Carers, and are available to foster in line with council policies, will become eligible for total exemption from council tax. This represents a saving of £1,600 a year on a band D property.

Cabinet member for finance, Cllr Shane Hebb, added "This proposal is affordable because we are aiming to invest in our own foster carers who also live in Thurrock, and therefore reduce reliance on far more expensive independent and agency foster carers who may not live in the borough."

Earlier this month the council announced it was spending £60 million of contracts with agencies to help it look after children in its care.