Somerset Council Approves 7.5% Council Tax Increase Amidst Funding Crisis Somerset Council Approves 7.5% Council Tax Increase Amidst Funding Crisis

Somerset Council will raise council tax by 7.5%. The government gave them special permission for this. Staff layoffs will happen despite higher taxes, and parking charges are coming to some free car parks, also on Sundays. The council said its finances are “critical.”

The council depended on government help again this year. This support allows them to get more local money. The government lets them raise taxes past the normal limit. They can also borrow and sell property to raise more money.

Council leader Bill Revans said this isn’t a real solution. Residents will pay more in taxes, and the council may sell assets or borrow money. This is all to cover regular, everyday costs.

Somerset faces a crisis like many other areas. The need and cost for social care keeps rising, affecting both adults and kids. Council funding isn’t keeping up with that need, and applications for special education have increased greatly.

Revans explained a 220% rise in SEND applications. He said they must meet the needs of vulnerable kids. The council faced a big budget gap of £52.2 million, even after saving £48 million already.

The higher council tax will bring in £9.1 million. They still need £43 million more for daily spending. They will borrow or sell assets to cover this gap, covering 2025 and 2026 spending needs.

Opposition councillors worry about selling assets. Revans said the council has no other option. He warned of government takeover if the budget cannot be balanced, with commissioners controlling the finances fully.

Revans thinks the solution is up to the current council even though the problem wasn’t their choice. Solving it is now their responsibility. He said the tax rise is modest for the current situation.

He warned government commissioners would raise taxes even higher. Somerset’s taxes will still be less than nearby areas. The typical household will pay £129 more per year, or about £2.49 each week.

Andy Dingwall, a councillor, called the rise “astronomical.” He feels the budget lacks financial control, claiming people are angry and feel let down. The council failed to follow through on promises.

Mandy Chilcott, another councillor, called the budget “heartbreaking.” She noted rising fees and cuts to services, affecting recycling centers and youth programs.

The ruling party blamed past tax freezes from the prior party, saying it left a lower base for future increases. Chilcott insisted their budgets were truly balanced.

She said the tax rise will hurt residents, many of whom already face financial difficulties. The council voted to pass the budget despite warnings, and that an alternate solution was needed instead.

Councillors feared supporting parking charges if they voted yes. Even with the tax increase, cuts, and sales, more gaps loom: A £101 million gap is predicted next year, then £190 million by 2029/30.

Revans said the funding model is “broken.” He hopes for government action on social care needs and stresses that local government’s situation is critical. Councils will run out of money without urgent change.

Somerset Council will raise council tax by 7.5%. The government gave them special permission for this. Staff layoffs will happen despite higher taxes, and parking charges are coming to some free car parks, also on Sundays. The council said its finances are “critical.”

The council depended on government help again this year. This support allows them to get more local money. The government lets them raise taxes past the normal limit. They can also borrow and sell property to raise more money.

Council leader Bill Revans said this isn’t a real solution. Residents will pay more in taxes, and the council may sell assets or borrow money. This is all to cover regular, everyday costs.

Somerset faces a crisis like many other areas. The need and cost for social care keeps rising, affecting both adults and kids. Council funding isn’t keeping up with that need, and applications for special education have increased greatly.

Revans explained a 220% rise in SEND applications. He said they must meet the needs of vulnerable kids. The council faced a big budget gap of £52.2 million, even after saving £48 million already.

The higher council tax will bring in £9.1 million. They still need £43 million more for daily spending. They will borrow or sell assets to cover this gap, covering 2025 and 2026 spending needs.

Opposition councillors worry about selling assets. Revans said the council has no other option. He warned of government takeover if the budget cannot be balanced, with commissioners controlling the finances fully.

Revans thinks the solution is up to the current council even though the problem wasn’t their choice. Solving it is now their responsibility. He said the tax rise is modest for the current situation.

He warned government commissioners would raise taxes even higher. Somerset’s taxes will still be less than nearby areas. The typical household will pay £129 more per year, or about £2.49 each week.

Andy Dingwall, a councillor, called the rise “astronomical.” He feels the budget lacks financial control, claiming people are angry and feel let down. The council failed to follow through on promises.

Mandy Chilcott, another councillor, called the budget “heartbreaking.” She noted rising fees and cuts to services, affecting recycling centers and youth programs.

The ruling party blamed past tax freezes from the prior party, saying it left a lower base for future increases. Chilcott insisted their budgets were truly balanced.

She said the tax rise will hurt residents, many of whom already face financial difficulties. The council voted to pass the budget despite warnings, and that an alternate solution was needed instead.

Councillors feared supporting parking charges if they voted yes. Even with the tax increase, cuts, and sales, more gaps loom: A £101 million gap is predicted next year, then £190 million by 2029/30.

Revans said the funding model is “broken.” He hopes for government action on social care needs and stresses that local government’s situation is critical. Councils will run out of money without urgent change.