Somerset Council has spent close to £19 million on consultants over the past three years, council leader Bill Revans revealed recently. Since its establishment in April 2023, the council has allocated substantial funds toward consultants and external support, complementing its ongoing transformation programme.
Former Conservative councillor Anthony Betty, who served on Sedgemoor District Council, criticized the council’s heavy dependence on consultants, comparing their influence to a “sat nav that dictates every turn.” Responding to these concerns, Bill Revans noted that consultancy spending has decreased in the last 12 months and emphasized that external support is intended to assist—not replace—democratic decision-making.
Anthony Betty currently serves as a senior case officer for Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox and is a member of Othery Parish Council. He raised his concerns during a Somerset Council executive committee meeting, requesting transparency on the total expenditure on external consultants since April 2023, including detailed breakdowns by directorate or service area.
Bill Revans confirmed that the council has spent £18.9 million on consultants over three years, averaging approximately £6.9 million annually. This amount represents less than 1% of the council’s annual revenue budget and excludes agency staff costs such as social workers and occupational therapists.
While Revans did not provide a detailed breakdown at the meeting, he assured that a full written response would be issued soon. He explained that consultant use is carefully targeted and proportionate, supporting improvements, managing risks, and delivering savings where expert, time-limited knowledge is required. All consultant expenditures undergo the council’s standard governance and approval processes.
Additionally, in compliance with the local government transparency code, all spending over £500 is published quarterly on Somerset Council’s website, ensuring public access to expenditure records. The council plans to provide further clarity by detailing total consultancy spending since April 2023, including committed and contracted costs with a directorate-level breakdown.
Revans highlighted that consultancy costs for the 2025/26 period are significantly lower than in previous years, reflecting reduced demand following local government reorganisation and workforce restructuring.