COUNCIL tax payers in Somerset will see their bill rise by 7.49% – above the legally permitted 4.99% – after Somerset Council approved its budget yesterday (March 5).
This comes after the council used Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) measures offered by the Government for the second year running as the authority scrambled to set a balanced budget for 2025/26.
Somerset Council is facing a budget gap of £52.2m for next year, but the increase to council tax will reduce this by £9.2m a year.
The £43m gap will be covered by the capitalisation direction – a ‘one-off’ which allows the authority to sell assets or borrow to pay for day-to-day costs.
The increase to council tax will see those living in a band D property pay an additional £129 a year, or £2.49 a week.
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Leader of the council, councillor Bill Revans, said that while they are asking residents to pay more, the authority will still look to sell assets to keep its services running.
“With costs and demand for our services continuing to soar, we have had no choice but to ask the Government for Exceptional Financial Support,” he said.
“But let’s be clear, this is not a bailout or a long-term solution.
“We are asking our residents to pay more, and we will be required to sell our assets or borrow money to cover everyday running costs.
“It is clear the funding model is broken and I welcome the Government’s commitment for reform to funding in key areas of pressure like social care and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
“The situation for local government remains critical and we need action urgently, or councils like Somerset will simply run out of money.”
The council is facing this £52m budget gap despite saving £48m already, with £34m of savings agreed by significantly reducing the number of staff and managers employed.
Somerset Council said it found itself in this position due to rising cost pressures in children’s and adult social care.
This increase in council tax will see households paying less than in neighbouring counties.
Band D taxpayers in Dorset are set to pay £2,101.05, while Band D properties in Wiltshire will pay £1,886.00.
North Somerset Council also approved a 4.99% increase in council tax, which will see Band D properties pay around £1793.75 a year.
Somerset Council is disgusting! Now we all have to pay for their mistakes!
Can’t afford it so can’t pay it, it’s all a scam. The council is no more than a modern day Sheriff of Nottingham stealing from the people. Councils should be abolished along with councillors
What will be will be. Everyone is struggling including councils
They are paying interim staff 90 to 120k a year for 40 to 50k a year jobs. It’s obvious where the waste is going. Sub standard management allowing waste.
Charging more for less responsibilitys,rights of way etc.
Every so often there is an article in the national press that councils are struggling to fund past employees’ pensions. Would Somerset like to confirm what (if any) steps they have taken to reduce or eliminate this in the distant future?
A good start would be to require all new council employees to join a scheme with no connections at all with the council.
I guess the councillors expenses have to be paid
I guess all the councillors expenses must be paid. Also as is probably common knowledge the management is made up of second rate people who would not survive in a commercial world