Somerset Council has stood firm in defending the “realistic and achievable” pace of its £20 million transformation programme aimed at balancing the budget and improving local services. The ambitious initiative, called ‘Inspiring Innovation,’ seeks to address a projected £73 million budget gap by reducing costs and managing rising demand over the next three to four years.
The council enlisted Newton Consulting in September to spearhead the next phase of this transformation, which is expected to generate substantial savings. However, critics like Taunton resident Chris Mann have voiced concerns, accusing the council of moving too slowly and cautioning that the loss of key managers due to redundancies could undermine the programme’s success.
Deputy leader Liz Leyshon responded during a council executive meeting on January 7, assuring stakeholders that the council is confident in its approach. She emphasized that all business cases would undergo committee scrutiny before implementation. Addressing Mr. Mann’s criticism, Leyshon affirmed the council is on a sound path and outlined that savings targets are ambitious but credible.
READ MORE: Over 1,200 Bridgwater Residents Rally Against 220-Home Development Plan
READ MORE: No Street Lighting Planned for Key Pedestrian Route at Orchard Grove Development in Taunton
Mr. Mann challenged the council’s strategy, highlighting auditors’ warnings from December 2025 that indicated the council needed to accelerate service delivery reforms, with statutory recommendations issued by Grant Thornton. He questioned the decision to initiate redundancies before finalizing the transformation plan and asked for clarity on specific lagging services and contingency plans if savings goals are unmet.
In response, Leyshon pointed out that local governments face unprecedented challenges including increased demand for social services, economic pressures from austerity, the pandemic, Brexit, and inflation. She cited examples from other councils where long-term, multi-year efforts were necessary to build sustainable services. Detailed plans with milestones will be presented to scrutiny committees throughout the process.
Leyshon confirmed £1.5 million has been allocated to Newton Consulting for a diagnostic phase set to conclude by the end of January. Since the council’s formal establishment in April 2023, approximately £50 million in savings have already been achieved, with £33 million from the initial transformation phase, which involved the reduction of nearly 300 staff members.
Councillor Theo Butt Philip, portfolio holder for transformation, highlighted that the programme focuses not just on cost-cutting, but on delivering better services, particularly through preventative measures to reduce future demand on resources. Meanwhile, Councillor Sarah Wakefield, responsible for adult services, housing, and homelessness, warned against excessive haste, underscoring the importance of maintaining service quality for residents.
Council leader Bill Revans echoed these sentiments, distinguishing between pace and haste. He praised the council’s innovation and partnerships in driving forward the transformation, expressing confidence that the programme offers a timely and effective solution to the council’s financial and operational challenges.