CASH-STRAPPED West Somerset District Council (WSDC) is proposing to put up its share of council tax by a total of 4.81 per cent this year to help it deliver frontline services in the face of massive funding cuts.


Government austerity is having a big impact on services in West Somerset, and an annual total increase of £6.76 has been proposed. 


The council announced it would deliver a balanced budget for 2016/17, meaning it could avoid government intervention in its financial affairs.


Leader of the council, Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, said: “It will be significant achievement to set a balanced budget in 2016-17 but the financial challenge remains serious.

We have faced financial problems in the past and have found solutions thanks to some brave and ground-breaking decisions, such as our partnership with Taunton Deane.


“The challenge we face now is not of our own making but due to circumstances beyond our control." We must be honest and open about the scale of the issues we face.”


WSDC is facing a substantial cut in its Revenue Support Grant from the government, down from £840,000 in 2015-16 to £550,000 in 2016-17.

This grant is further expected to reduce to nil by 2020. The impact of the reduction has been compounded by a business rates appeal for Hinkley Point B (HPB) nuclear power station.


The district council is proposing council tax goes up by £5 for a Band D property per annum, as well as a 1.25 per cent levy for the newly created Somerset Rivers Authority.


The council also passed measures that will see blue badge holders be charged for parking in council car parks, which it hopes will bring in £14,500, as well as increases to summer tariffs and parking permits.


The move went before full council at Wednesday’s meeting and was passed despite objectionsraised by Cllr Ian Aldridge, who said the policy move was made simply to increase income.

“The council’s car park facilities do not currently make a loss, therefore these measures are going to raise additional revenue for the council,” Cllr Aldridge said.

But lead member for tourism and economic regeneration Karen Mills replied: “The reason the jump looks so big on paper is because they have gone from paying nothing to paying something. It is for equality, it is only right that everybody be putting something in the community bucket.”


The council hope that by giving blue badge holders an additional free 60 minutes to paying customers they will mitigate the blow to the vulnerable people being charged. The proposals are to be considered by the cabinet on February 3.