THE leader of Somerset Council, Cllr Bill Revans, has responded to a statement issued by the Labour government on the financial situation facing the local authority.
Following a request made by the Somerset County Gazette, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government outlined what measures are available to support Somerset Council, which faces a potential budget gap of £130 million next year.
In the Autumn Budget, the Labour government announced £1.3 billion of new grant funding in 2025/26 for local government to deliver core services, of which £600m is for social care.
The government maintains that together with income from Council Tax and business rates, this will provide a real-terms increase in total core spending power of around 3.2%.
The statement issued by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The government recognises the challenges local authorities are facing as demand for critical services increases in adult social care, children's social care, SEND and temporary accommodation.”
Social care is one of the main areas where Somerset Council is facing financial issues, with increasing demand driving a budget gap in the local authority’s finances.
The government statement continued: “These deep-rooted problems won’t be fixed overnight, but we are committed to fixing the foundations, reforming and rebuilding local government.”
In response, Somerset Council leader, Cllr Bill Revans said: "The budget was a mixed bag for local government, with an announcement that the government was providing an extra £1.3 billion when the Local Government Association calculates that we need £2.3 billion. While this is better than previous settlements but will still mean tough decisions for Somerset Council ahead.”
"We are in contact with our providers, especially in social care, to understand the implications of the increase in Employers National Insurance contributions and the very welcome rise in the National Living Wage.”
Somerset Council’s leader also expressed his disappointment at the government’s stopping of the A358 upgrade; a review of Levelling Up Funding in the creative and performing arts in the Mendip area; and potential stopping of the Great South West Pan Regional Partnership funding.
"The Chancellor giveth and the Chancellor taketh away”, Bill reflected.
Somerset Council has also expressed interest in being a beneficiary of the Wessex Devolution Deal. In July, the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, invited places without devolution agreements - including Somerset - to come forward with proposals for their areas.
The process closed in September and the government will engage closely with local leaders and stakeholders to review proposals. Somerset Council is currently awaiting a response from the Labour government.
The spokesperson for Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson commented: “We are working with local leaders across England to deliver the most ambitious programme of devolution this country has ever seen.”
“We want every part of England to take its place on the Council of Nations and Regions, with strong and effective partnerships in place with councils and other partners to deliver the missions we have set out to transform the country.”
In response, Cllr Revans said: “We are eagerly waiting for clarity (which we hope will be provided by the government White Paper) on devolution to the regions of England. We have always worked closely with our neighbouring councils and are keen for the voice of the west country to be better heard and understood by government.”
He ended: “We have submitted an Expression of Interest with Wiltshire and Dorset councils and are keen to take this forward once we know more detail."
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