Councillors in North Somerset have approved an 8.99% increase in council tax, a sharp rise made possible by special government permission to exceed the usual 4.99% cap. This increase aims to address a growing budget shortfall driven by escalating social care costs and significant reductions in government funding.
Council leader Mike Bell warned the public that higher taxes come with tough trade-offs. “People are going to be asked to pay more. Some of their services are going to deteriorate,” he said during the full council meeting where the budget was set.
The approved tax hike is expected to generate an additional £5.9 million. However, this gain sits against a backdrop of a £6 million cut in government funding this year alone, with projected reductions reaching £18.6 million over the next three years. Bell emphasized that this council tax rise is largely a consequence of decisions made at Westminster and Whitehall.
READ MORE: Somerset Flood Warnings Updated as Sunshine Gives Way to a 10-Hour Deluge
READ MORE: £2.6m Repair Bill for Weston Car Park Highlights Long-Term Losses
North Somerset is one of only seven councils nationwide granted the authority to raise taxes beyond the typical cap starting in April. For the average Band D property, the annual charge will increase to £1,955, remaining below the national average of £2,062. On a monthly basis, the council tax portion will rise by £13.44.
Support is available for struggling residents through council tax reduction programs, which will now undergo cuts. The amount of support offered will be reduced by eight percentage points for working-age households claiming the benefit, affecting roughly 6,400 families. Pensioners’ support remains protected by law. This reduction in council tax relief is expected to save the council nearly £250,000, a move criticized by Green Party councillor Thomas Daw as “absolutely immoral.” Despite his opposition, the measure passed with only one dissenting vote.
To mitigate the impact on those facing severe financial hardship, a new £371,000 hardship fund will be established from external sources to assist eligible residents.
The budget also includes other difficult measures: transferring nurseries to academy trusts and further reducing library operating hours. Councillors have frozen their allowances for the second consecutive year. The council faces pressure to balance the budget to avoid issuing a section 114 notice, which would trigger government commissioners to assume control and enforce deeper cuts.
Financial challenges stem in part from prior decisions to keep council tax rises low or frozen before 2019, depleting the council’s financial resilience. Additionally, losses from underperforming assets have contributed to the current fiscal crisis, according to Bell.
Debate among councillors reflected the gravity of the situation. Independent councillor Mike Bird described the rise as “horrendous” but acknowledged the necessity due to a £19 million budget shortfall. Others noted that the tax increase disproportionately affects homeowners in larger properties who may be asset-rich but cash-poor. Conservative councillor Michael Pryke criticized the lack of a long-term plan, warning residents could face repeated hikes.
Independent councillor Caritas Charles highlighted that the council is being forced to shoulder burdens traditionally funded by the national government, stressing that this is about meeting essential service demands rather than funding luxuries.
The 2026/27 budget and council tax rise passed with 35 votes in favor, six against, and two abstentions, signaling a tough road ahead for both the council and its residents.