A CAMPAIGN has been mounted to 'reclaim Somerset' ahead of the formation of a new council in our area.

Four district councils and Somerset County Council are being scrapped and replaced by one new local authority provisionally named Somerset Council.

But Adam Thomas, of Somerset Guardians, believes its a misnomer as the new council will not cover the whole of historic Somerset.

Mr Thomas has set up a petition looking for support for what he believes would be a more appropriate name.

He said: "From April 2023, the Somerset County Council area is to become a unitary authority.

"Despite the fact that it will not cover the whole of the historic county, it has provisionally been given the name 'Somerset Council'.

"Therefore this petition aims to persuade the decision makers to do something really positive to mark a clear distinction between the county boundary and council boundaries.

"A positive act to strengthen and protect the integrity of Somerset's historic boundaries, and give the new council a more appropriate name."

The first election for the 110 councillors to sit on Somerset Council is being held on May 5 this year.

The successful candidates' brief will be to work towards setting up the new council over the ensuing 11 months.

The existing four district councils - Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip, Sedgemoor and South Somerset - along with Somerset County Council will disappear ahead of the creation of the new unitary authority.

North Somerset Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council will continue to exist and their residents will not be served by Somerset Council.

Mr Thomas, who has so far collected 46 signatures on his petition, said: "Somerset's two existing unitary authorities (North Somerset Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council) have names true to their place within the county.

"The new unitary should also have a name that fits in with these two, and that reflects its area within the historic county of Somerset.

"The most popular alternative name so far is 'South and West Somerset Council', but other names could be options.

"This petition is non-political, and not anti-the new unitary.

"It's simply pro-the real County of Somerset.

"It's not too late to do the right thing by our wonderful county.

"If you love Somerset, please sign and share using the hashtag #OneFlagOneCounty."

SIGN THE PETITION: You can sign the petition by clicking here.