The Government has agreed ‘in principle’ to £30 million of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) for Somerset as the county struggles to balance the books.
Somerset Council – which was refused permission to increase council tax by more than 4.99% earlier this month – has been handed the funding in a bid for 2026/27 to help “enable them to set balanced budgets”.
Cllr Diogo Rodrigues, Leader of the Conservative Opposition at Somerset Council, has criticised the Liberal Democrat administration following confirmation from Local Government Minister Alison McGovern that the Government has significant concerns about the Council’s financial management.
The Minister has made clear that while the Government is minded to provide in-principle Exceptional Financial Support to the tune of £million, serious issues remain which they will look in to, including the slow pace of transformation, repeated requests to push previously agreed support into future years, and statutory recommendations issued by external auditors.
Cllr Rodrigues said, “This is a damning assessment. The Liberal Democrats have tried to blame everyone else for Somerset’s problems, the previous administration, national funding formulas, inflation, anyone but themselves. Yet they have now been in charge for years. The responsibility sits squarely with them.”
He added, “It is no surprise that the Government turned down Somerset’s attempt to impose an 11% council tax rise. When Ministers are highlighting serious concerns about transformation delays and financial control, why would they hand over permission for an above inflation tax hike?
Hard working taxpayers across Somerset are tightening their belts. They expect their council to show the same discipline and competence with public money, not splash £20 million on consultants to tell them how to save money for example.
The Liberal Democrat administration must stop the spin, stop blaming others, start taking responsibility and, at a bare minimum, get the basics right.
