A GROUP of 15 councillors billed £1,800 of their own money after taking their authority to court have ended up costing taxpayers thousands.

The opposition members took legal action against Conservative-run Taunton Deane Borough Council over its proposed merger with West Somerset Council, accusing Deane House leaders of failing to consult the public.

But a High Court judge threw out their request for a judicial review, labelling their action "premature and academic" as the Deane launched a public consultation into the merger plans in November, following the legal application.

Cllr Ian Morrell (Independent), one of the 15 councillors, said: "We went to court in October 2016 because the council had made the decision to merge without consulting local people.

"Our action forced the council to commit to consulting before the papers went before the judge and the consultation started before Christmas.

"Consultation was never guaranteed before the court case started. Now it can't be stopped."

The judge ordered the claimants, who paid £300 to lodge the case, to pay £1,500 towards the council's costs, but that still leaves council taxpayers with a hefty bill for the full costs.

LibDem leader Cllr Simon Coles said: "We all agreed an appeal would have just meant local people footing the bill for (council leader) John William's arrogance.

"It would've been wrong to make local people pay for the council leader's desire to deliver central government cuts without wanting local views on local services."

Cllr Steve Ross (Ind), who does not oppose the merger but was involved in the litigation because of a perceived lack of prior consultation, said: "The court fees we are paying are the cost of achieving local consultation. If that's the price of delivering democracy, it's worth every penny."

The councillors oppose the merger as they say it will not produce promised savings for both authorities and Taunton Deane services will suffer as its taxpayers will have to subsidise West Somerset.

Cllr Williams said: "The council’s costs incurred in responding to the challenge are currently being calculated but are significantly more than the maximum claimable (£1,500).

“It's a great pity the applicants chose to proceed with the challenge at great expense to themselves and, unfortunately, the taxpayers of Taunton Deane.

“I remained confident about our decision and this was vindicated by the judge’s ruling when he refused the application for a judicial review as being ‘academic and premature’.

“The consultation that they sought on the proposal was already planned as part of the submission to the Secretary of State who will make the final decision on the creation of a single new council.”