BELEAGUERED Liberal Democrat-run Somerset Council wants to put up council tax bills this year by a staggering 11 per cent – more than double the rise allowed by the Government.
Last year, the council asked the Government for permission for a more than a 20 per cent rise but was restricted to 7.5 per cent.
Councils are allowed up to a maximum 4.99 per cent council tax rise without having to hold a public referendum seeking approval from residents for a larger increase.
But Somerset was given special permission in 2025-26 for a larger rise under what are known as ‘exceptional financial support’ (EFS) rules.
Now, the near-bankrupt council is applying for a third successive year for EFS and has asked for up to 5.9 per cent on top of the existing 4.99 per cent limit.
Conservative opposition group leader Cllr Diogo Rodrigues said: “Time and again, Somerset residents are being asked to pay the price for this council’s failures.
“While declaring a financial emergency, the Liberal Democrats have spent over £33 million on agency staff while cutting 555 job posts, are splashing £20 million on consultants to tell them how to save money, are spending £3 million with consultants to tell them how much to pay staff, have lost around £100 million through rushed asset sales, and signed off the disastrous Life Factory project in Glastonbury where millions of pounds were handed over without proper checks and balances
“It is Somerset residents who pay the price, including the thousands of disabled households who are now around £400 a year worse off following cuts this council made to their council tax support.
“Somerset families are already under pressure from rising bills and the cost of living, and they are being treated as a bottomless source of cash to cover poor decision-making at Liberal Democrat-run County Hall.”
