COUNCIL tax rises could be on the cards in Somerset to fund public services.
A three-year Government Finance Settlement – outlining how much the county authority will receive over the next three years – has been unveiled, with an increase of around 13%.
However, the council is assuming much of the rise in spending power will be raised through increases in council tax for residents, coming off the back of several years of above-normal rises and amid fears of a £73 million funding gap.
Leader at Somerset Council, Cllr Bill Revans (Lib Dem, North Petherton), cautiously welcomed the three-year Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025/6 – but urged the Government to do more to increase councils’ spending power without putting the burden on taxpayers.
He also said the authority looked likes to lose out on business rates income as part of the plan.
A council spokesperson said: “Overall, when all aspects of the settlement are considered, the council forecasts that it will be marginally better off next year, but further work needs to be undertaken to fully model the highly complex settlement.
“The longer-term view created through a three-year settlement has been welcomed as it will allow the council to better plan its budget, but the council is still facing significant funding gaps in future years, reflecting ongoing pressures in areas like children’s services, placement costs and homelessness.”
READ MORE: Have your say over Somerset Council budget – amid £73 million shortfall
READ MORE: OPINION: Bailoutistan – why are Somerset’s finances in such a mess?
Somerset Council plans a fresh request to Government for further Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) to make ends meet.
Cllr Revans said: “We have worked hard and had to make tough decisions to deliver savings, guided by feedback from residents, businesses and partners, while protecting vital services.
“While the three-year settlement which has been announced contains some welcome news and allows us to plan with more certainty for 2026-29, we maintain our view that the current funding model is broken.
“Relying on increased council tax to fund essential, demand-led services such as adult and children’s care is not sustainable.
“Our work to deliver savings, innovation and the vital services we know our communities value must be underpinned by a fairer, long-term funding system that recognises the pressures councils face and the work our teams deliver every day.”
A public consultation is open to all, with feedback influencing councillors as they look to set a balanced budget in February.
The survey closes on January 14 and can be completed online, with paper copies available in Somerset libraries.
READ MORE: Politics news from your Somerset Leveller
You had a shortfall last year and we paid far to much. And now your telling us you want more do you honestly think people have a never ending pot of money think again
It needs to come down not up stop all bonuses and realise it is bad enough for us
Maybe get people who don’t need to spend millions on making savings to run this Council
The wasteful measures this council makes completely invalidates the promises made when they amalgamated our local area councils. Redundancies, high cost agency or temporary staff, an assistant to the chief! Repeated adverts and interviews and no permanent recruitment. No wonder our services suffer. We need experienced competent people please?
Stop increasing our payments.its too much every year.people are struggling with bills especially pensioners.mine has increased £40 a month in the last two years.its daylight robbery
Maybe the managers at the top need a big pay cut as they are clearly incompetent at their jobs
Absolutely incompetent council .rising every year now and I’ve had enough .
Moving back to Ireland asap .
Revans and his Lib Dems have been a disaster. They need to go now.