MPs call for more council funding from government

A group of MPs have met with a government minister to raise concerns about funding for local councils in the West.

Somerset Council leader Bill Revans has warned it may need to raise council tax by 11% and is in talks with the government to more than double the permitted limit.

The county's Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs met with Alison McGovern - who looks after local councils - to get reassurances the authority will be able to stay afloat.

Elsewhere, North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell said the authority does not want to increase council tax but "something has to give" to continue to fund and maintain local services.

Somerset Council is setting its annual budget in February, which is expected to include a significant increase in council tax bills as it attempts to plug a £73m budget gap driven by rising demand for local services.

Five of Somerset's Liberal Democrat MPs met with McGovern (the Labour MP for Birkenhead) including Gideon Amos (Taunton and Wellington), Adam Dance (Yeovil), Sarah Dyke (Glastonbury and Somerton), Rachel Gilmour (Tiverton and Minehead), Anna Sabine (Frome and East Somerset) and Conservative MP Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater).

Sabine said: "No one wants to raise council tax but they may have no choice.

"It's not fair, in a cost-of-living crisis to raise and we want to argue that Somerset residents deserve a better deal."

She added: "No one wants an increase, but we need the government to get their house in order and help local councils out.

"The government must now acknowledge the impact their changes are having on Somerset and the pressures of delivering vital front-line services across our predominantly rural county.

"The government pours money into Labour areas of the UK."

Fox said: "It's my job to get the best financial job for my constituents and I am happy to argue with Lib Dem colleagues.

"I disagree with the way the Lib Dems are running Somerset Council but we need to push for better funding.

"The public don't want a council tax increase. It should not be for council taxpayers in Somerset to bail out a failing government care funding system."

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.

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