A DOCUMENT backing the case for a merger of two district councils ahead of elections in 2019 has been sent to the Government.

If Secretary of State Sajid Javid approves the application Taunton Deane and West Somerset Councils would disappear and a new authority would be created.

It would take the current partnership between the two councils that has seen them sharing services and management since 2013 a step further.

The link up has already saved almost £6 million of taxpayers' money and a full merger would cut the authorities' spending by £3.1 million a year.

Both councils voted last year to merge and their application for approval is only the second to land on Mr Javid's desk - the first two councils are in Suffolk.

Deane leader Cllr John Williams and West Somerset leader Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew have issued a joint statement saying: "It is now for the Secretary of State to decide, taking into account all the facts from our business case, and the representations made.

"We have the support of partners, other councils in Somerset, key players in business and the voluntary sector - all play a vital part in the life of our two areas.

"Our proposal will deliver further savings, service improvements and resilience, stronger leadership and improved local governance, and ultimately financially viable local government provision in our area in the future.

"This new council will make sure we can continue to deliver the services that our residents value, and to allow us to focus on boosting our economy, supporting the delivery of Hinkley Point C new nuclear power station and fully embracing the opportunity afforded by garden town status recently awarded to Taunton."

Mr Trollope-Bellew admitted West Somerset's precarious finances mean it is unsustainable in the long term.

Mr Williams said the Deane has managed to maintained most frontline services and continue a policy of growth despite huge cuts in Government funding.

The full document, including feedback from a lengthy public consultation into the proposed merger, can be viewed here.

Myth-busters provided by the two councils.

The decision to create a new council has already been made.  What was the point of the public consultation?

Public opinion is extremely important.  Taunton Deane and West Somerset Councils consulted with the public widely to make sure that residents, businesses and other interest parties could have their say on the proposal to create a new council. The final decision on whether the proposal should go ahead will be made by the Secretary of State.  He will examine all the evidence, including the views expressed during the public consultation.

Surely other options are available, such as forming a unitary council for the whole of Somerset?

The reduction in funding in local government means that things cannot stay as they are, change is needed.  There are currently no plans to create a unitary council for the whole of Somerset.  Taunton Deane and West Somerset Councils need to act quickly and focus on what is currently possible.  Both councils need to find a solution to the predicted “budget gaps” they face within a very short timescale. The creation of the new council does not however prevent wider joint working arrangements in the future.

This proposal is only about saving money?

Delivering costs savings is very important, but it’s also about creating a more efficient, customer-focused organisation.  Both Taunton Deane and West Somerset Councils are already investing in a programme of change, making significant savings (£2.6 million a year) by streamlining processes and using new technology.  Even more money (£0.5 million a year) will be saved by creating a single new council for the area – the combined savings will be used to help protect the services that local people need and value.

Taunton Deane council tax payers will have to subsidise West Somerset Council.

If the proposal to create a new council goes ahead, both Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council will cease to exist.  The new single council would set its own budget and decide on its own priorities, working to build the local economy, jobs, housing and infrastructure for the entire area.

Why are you choosing the Cities and Devolution Act 2016, rather than the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007

The 2016 legislation allows us to work with our existing boundaries, which means we can move more quickly, and build on what we already have in place for our communities.  This brings in the projected savings and benefits earlier than any other route, which is important when we consider the sustainability of our financial position.  We need to deliver savings quickly and we believe this is the best route to achieve our ambitions safely and swiftly. 

Why is the submission document being sent to the Secretary of State without consideration by members of both councils? Isn’t there a legal requirement?

Both councils gave their consent to the proposal for a new council to be progressed with the Secretary of State when they met in July (Taunton Deane) and September (West Somerset). Should the Secretary of State be minded to create the new Council there will be a requirement, in due course, for both councils to consider regulations concerning a new council, the name of a new authority and the size of a new authority (the number of councillors).

What will happen with the comments/views expressed during the consultation?

All responses will be made available to the Secretary of State as part of the submission, as well as a summary. They will also be published online at www.yournewcouncil.org

Where will Council meetings be held?

Council meetings would not have to take place at a particular headquarters. They could be held anywhere within the new area with the possibility of holding them in village halls or other local venues.

What difference will I see? 

 In relation to the creation of the new council alone there will be fewer district councillors in the new area and the main council offices may be further away for some than now.  Changing and modernising the way we work will see fewer staff employed by the council, however, by changing the way we are organised and how we work, including a greater number of our staff working in the community rather than in the office and a greater range of services accessible online, we expect that current levels of customer satisfaction will be maintained or will improve.

What will happen to the Taunton Deane Mayoralty?

As part of the process for creating a new council, the issue of continuing with Borough Status and the associated Mayoralty will be an option for the Implementation Executive and the new council itself to determine and therefore should it be the wish to continue with this tradition, then that option will be open to them.

To explain: if the Secretary of State agrees to proceed with the creation of a new council, the two existing Councils will be required to establish an 'Implementation Executive' assembled from the existing councillors to act on behalf of the new authority between the time starting around about April /May 2018 and the new Council coming into being in May 2019, following elections.