£400,000 Refurbishment Transforms Former Somerset Council HQ

West Somerset House, the former headquarters of West Somerset Council located on Killick Way in Williton, has undergone a significant refurbishment costing £400,000. Once the administrative center until the council’s abolition in April 2019 and later serving Somerset West and Taunton Council until April 2023, the building was closed on Christmas Eve 2024 for renovations and reopened to the public on June 25.

This refurbishment was part of Somerset Council’s efforts to consolidate village services under one roof, including the local library, registration service, and children’s centre. The project aimed to optimize the building’s usage, especially as public meetings have declined since the councils’ abolishment, and the main chamber was considered too small for full council gatherings.

The closure extended beyond the planned ten weeks due to the discovery of a potential fire risk that necessitated additional safety improvements. To streamline operations, the council introduced a digital customer access point within the library, supported by trained staff to assist residents unfamiliar with the technology. However, the building no longer includes a staffed customer reception.

Alongside the refurbishment, Somerset Council announced plans to sell off nearby properties, including the village’s former library, children’s centre, and Beckett House (the Williton Skills and Enterprise Centre), to help fund front-line services. Beckett House, located on Bridge Street, has been operating at a loss, prompting the council’s decision to dispose of it.

While the council has not set a timeline for these sales, it confirmed that future property rationalizations, including potential sales like Brympton Way in Yeovil, will be evaluated individually. The £400,000 refurbishment reflects the council’s commitment to modernizing facilities while managing assets efficiently.