Somerset Council’s £40m Agency Staff Bill Criticised Amid Job Cuts Monday, March 23, 2026 somerset council agency spending recruitment transformation jobcuts tax staffing services Since its establishment in April 2023, Somerset Council has spent over £40 million on agency staff, sparking criticism amid ongoing job cuts and a major transformation programme. The council is executing a comprehensive plan … Read More
Somerset Council’s Agency Staff Costs Soar to £40 Million Amid Job Cuts Monday, March 23, 2026 somerset council agency staff spending transformation recruitment jobcuts localgovernment tax Since its inception in April 2023, Somerset Council has spent over £40 million on agency staff, sparking substantial criticism amid ongoing job cuts and a sweeping cost-cutting transformation programme. The council’s … Read More
Environment Agency to Review Somerset Flooding Response After Ministerial Visit Wednesday, February 18, 2026 somerset flooding environment agency response ministerial flooddefences community funding review The Environment Agency (EA) has announced a formal review of its response to the recent flooding in Somerset, following a ministerial visit to the region. Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, … Read More
Somerset Council Turns to West Midlands Enforcement Officers Amid Recruitment Struggles Thursday, January 29, 2026 somerset enforcement recruitment planning council backlog westmidlands agency localgovernment budget Somerset Council is currently relying on enforcement officers from a local authority over 150 miles away in the West Midlands to manage planning enforcement duties. The move comes as the council continues to face significant … Read More
Somerset Council Turns to West Midlands Enforcement Officers Amid Recruitment Challenges Thursday, January 29, 2026 somerset planning enforcement recruitment council staffing budget agency localauthority backlog Somerset Council is currently relying on enforcement officers from a West Midlands local authority to address a growing backlog of planning breaches. The enforcement team plays a critical role in managing unauthorized … Read More
Somerset Council Spends Over £33 Million on Consultants and Agency Staff Amid Financial Emergency Thursday, October 9, 2025 somerset council consultants agency spending financialemergency restructuring socialwork publicsector budget Somerset Council has incurred expenses exceeding £33 million on consultants and agency staff over the past two and a half years, highlighting the financial strain it currently faces. Since declaring a financial emergency in … Read More