Over the past six months, several Somerset councillors have accepted a variety of gifts and hospitality, including first-class train tickets, cream teas, tapas, and football match tickets, all valued at £50 or more. Somerset Council recently published its updated gifts and hospitality register, detailing these gifts in accordance with the council’s constitution.
Under council regulations, councillors are required to declare any gifts exceeding £50 within 28 days of receipt. These declarations are submitted in writing to the monitoring officer to avoid any potential conflicts of interest in future decisions.
The largest gift recorded was a first-class any-time return rail ticket from Great Western Railway (GWR), valued at up to £300. Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, used this ticket in September 2025 to attend a Network Rail event focused on the future of the ‘Wales and Western’ rail section.
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In August 2025, four councillors—Nicola Clark (associate portfolio holder for culture and leisure), Federica Smith-Roberts (portfolio holder for communities, council housing, culture, equalities, and diversity), Mike Rigby (portfolio holder for economic development, planning, and assets), and Jeny Snell (representing Brympton division)—accepted hospitality and tickets valued at £64 each to attend Yeovil Town Football Club matches.
Additionally, both Nicola Clark and Federica Smith-Roberts received tickets and cream teas at the Taunton flower show, each valued at £30. Cultural events were a popular source of gifts, with Councillor Mike Best and his wife attending the Yeovil mayor’s charity ball in November 2025, and Councillor Hazel Prior-Sankey accepting tickets for a VIP night at The Nutcracker performance held at the Brewhouse Theatre in December.
Several councillors also benefited from hospitality linked to public sector events. Councillor Theo Butt Philip enjoyed drinks and tapas while attending the Local Government Association (LGA) annual conference in June 2025. Councillor Sarah Wakefield, portfolio holder for adult services, housing and homelessness, accepted two dinners during the National Children’s and Adults’ Social Care Conference in Liverpool in November, funded by Newton and Impower, valued at approximately £80 each.
In September 2025, Councillor Peter Seib received a £200 gift from the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP), including overnight accommodation in Bristol and an evening meal. He explained that as an owners’ representative, he attended the 20th-anniversary celebration of SWAP, and accepted overnight accommodation due to the late finish and lack of public transport.
Council leader Bill Revans and deputy leader Liz Leyshon accepted a dinner hosted by CCLA, an investment firm in which the council has substantial holdings, at the Castle Hotel in October 2025.
Councillor John Cook-Woodman, recently switched from Conservatives to Reform UK, accepted a meal at the Houses of Parliament provided by the fire safety charity Electrical Safety First in July 2025, though its value was undisclosed.
Lastly, Councillor Kathy Pearce (Bridgwater South) accepted a 30-minute light aircraft flight during a twinning visit to Uherske Hradiste, Czechia, offered to her and the UK choir members performing on the trip.
These declarations highlight the council’s commitment to transparency and accountability regarding gifts and hospitality offered to its members.