Fire Service Faces Serious Challenges Without Increased Funding, Warns FBU Wednesday, February 18, 2026 firefighting funding recruitment pay firebrigadesunion devon somerset budget emergency morale The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has issued a stark warning that the fire service in the south west will face “serious challenges” unless the central government provides additional funding to recruit and retain more … Read More
Somerset Council Halts Council Tax Support Changes Amidst Imminent Judicial Review Wednesday, February 18, 2026 somerset counciltax judicialreview disabilityrights legalchallenge publicpolicy socialsupport equality budget governance Somerset Council has announced that no alterations will be made to its council tax support scheme until April 2027, as it prepares to face a judicial review challenge in the High Court. The council had previously revised its … Read More
Somerset Fire Brigade’s Council Tax Share to Increase by £5 Tuesday, February 17, 2026 somerset fireservice counciltax budget firebrigade publicsafety localgovernment funding consultation emergencyservices Starting in April, Somerset residents will see a £5 increase in the fire service portion of their council tax bills. This change, representing a 4.8% rise, aims to ensure that the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service … Read More
Council Proposes Maximum 4.99% Council Tax Increase to Support Social Care Monday, February 16, 2026 counciltax budget socialcare funding prevention bath council localgovernment taxrise budgetcuts Bath and North East Somerset councillors are set to consider a proposed 4.99% increase in council tax as part of the 2026/27 budget plan. The proposal, supported by the council’s cabinet on February 12, now awaits approval … Read More
How Bath’s Roman Heritage Supports Social Care Funding Sunday, February 15, 2026 bath romanbaths socialcare counciltax heritage tourism economy unesco localgovernment budget Bath’s rich Roman heritage is playing a crucial role in helping the local council fund essential social care services. The iconic Roman Baths, established in the mid-first century AD as a health and wellness center for Aquae … Read More
Local Author Appeals to Save Worle Library Facing Closure Friday, February 13, 2026 library closure northsomerset worle community education author budget council volunteers Nick Smart, a local author from Weston-super-Mare, has issued a heartfelt appeal to North Somerset Council to reconsider the planned closure of Worle Library, a place he credits as the “gateway” to his education … Read More