YOUNG people leaving care in one part of Somerset could soon be exempt from paying council tax.

Sedgemoor District Council could join 22 other local authorities in England – including North Somerset Council – who have cut the council tax bill for young people leaving the care system.

But while North Somerset’s exemption only lasts until the individual reaches the age of 21, Sedgemoor’s own version of the discretionary measure could last until the individual is 25.

The council estimates around a dozen individuals will initially be affected – but the proposal will benefit all care leavers going forward.

The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the council’s community scrutiny committee in Bridgwater on Tuesday afternoon (October 16).

Donna Griffin, the council’s revenues manager, said there were two ways of implementing such an exemption – a wholesale change to their council tax reduction scheme, or a discretionary discount.

She said: “Taunton Deane and West Somerset’s councils are considering a change to their council tax reduction scheme, which will require them going out to public consultation.

“Pursuing this as a discretionary discount means that it can be implemented by executive approval.”

Ms Griffin cited the ‘Wolf at the Door’ report by The Children’s Society, which highlighted how vulnerable care leavers can be on a financial level.

She said: “Care leavers are a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to council tax. Often, when care leavers move into independent accommodation, they begin to manage their own budget for the first time.

“The pace of escalation of debt by local authorities could be frightening for care leavers – what can start out for many care leavers as falling slightly behind can quickly escalate to a court summons and enforcement action being taken.”

Ms Griffin estimated the policy would cover “between eight and ten” individuals if it were implemented at present.

She estimated such a move would cost the council between £2,000 and £2,500 per year, if the number of care leavers remains steady.

Councillor Kathy Pearce, who chairs the committee, said: “There are many who are living in this area who are already eligible for the 85 per cent discount under council tax support.

“This will provide a 15 per cent top up under the discretionary scheme.

“We will make sure that people do not ‘fall off the cliff edge’ at 25.”

The council’s officers will now develop the fine details of the policy with a view to implementing it in the coming months.