Everything We Know So Far About Somerset Council’s 2026 Budget Monday, January 19, 2026 finance budget counciltax somerset localgovernment funding savings devolution regeneration infrastructure As March 11—the legal deadline for all UK local authorities to set their budgets—draws near, Somerset Council is tackling a complex financial situation. Councils must balance their books annually, often relying on council tax … Read More
Will 2026 See the Return of the County of Avon? Sunday, January 11, 2026 avon devolution localgovernment westofengland northsomerset combinedauthority bristol unitary mayoral politics The West of England may be facing a revival of the long-defunct County of Avon, a county dissolved nearly three decades ago amid widespread unpopularity. Created in 1974 and abolished in 1996, Avon was a county centered on … Read More
Will 2026 Mark the Return of the County of Avon? Sunday, January 11, 2026 avon devolution localgovernment westofengland combinedauthority northsomerset unitaryauthority bristol mayoralelection regionalpolitics The West of England is once again facing a familiar debate—the possible revival of the County of Avon, a regional authority created in 1974 and abolished just 22 years later due to unpopularity and local opposition. Avon was … Read More
Ghost of Avon haunts with fears over 'Greater Bristol' region Monday, September 22, 2025 avon northsomerset weca devolution bristol council governance mayoral consultation localgovernment North Somerset Council has initiated a year-long formal process to join the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), reigniting fears about a return to the much-maligned County of Avon. At the contentious council meeting on … Read More
North Somerset Council Faces Nearly £300k Cost to Join West of England Combined Authority Wednesday, September 10, 2025 northsomerset weca combinedauthority localgovernment devolution funding metromayor transport consultation avon North Somerset Council is considering a significant financial commitment—nearly £300,000—to join the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), which includes Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. … Read More
Joining West of England Combined Authority Could Cost North Somerset Nearly £300k Wednesday, September 10, 2025 northsomerset weca combinedauthority regionalfunding localgovernment devolution metromayor avon transport consultation North Somerset Council is poised to consider spending almost £300,000 to join the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), a regional partnership that includes Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and South … Read More