Somerset MPs call for better government funding for councils

In North Somerset, council leader Mike Bell says they still have a significant budget gap and claims local council’s have been “stitched up”.

Bell continued: “We’ve already made tens of millions pounds worth of savings and efficiencies over the last few years.

“We’ve got £16m more [savings] next year, but we still have significant budget gap.

“The cost of social care for adults and children is going up and up and demand is up, so we don’t have enough resources to pay for it.

“We’re absolutely appalled and angered about the government new funding formula for the local councils.

“The only outcome, will be forced council tax increase on local people which has been manufactured in Whitehall.”

The government said it will not give its verdict on the request for exceptional financial support until next month.

The BBC has approached the government specifically on Somerset Council’s funding model but hasn’t heard back at this stage.

Additional reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.