Somerset Councillors Receive First-Class Travel, Cream Teas, and Musical Hospitality Sunday, February 1, 2026 somerset councillors gifts hospitality railtravel culture events politics transparency governance Over the past six months, Somerset councillors have accepted a variety of gifts and hospitality, ranging from first-class rail tickets to cream teas and cultural event tickets. Somerset Council has now published its latest … Read More
Somerset Council Officer Receives £1,000 Bequest from Elderly Resident, Prompting Policy Review Tuesday, January 27, 2026 somerset council gifts hospitality policy bequest ethics governance donations transparency Somerset Council is considering revising its policies on gifts and hospitality after an officer was left £1,000 in the will of an elderly resident whom the council had supported for five years. The granddaughter of the … Read More
Three Major Benefits for North Somerset Residents Joining WECA Sunday, January 25, 2026 weca northsomerset combinedauthority funding investment mayoralelections governance transport housing devolution After nearly a decade, North Somerset is on the brink of joining the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), marking a significant change for the region. Following a council vote in September 2025, a public consultation is … Read More
Three Key Benefits of North Somerset Joining the West of England Combined Authority Sunday, January 25, 2026 northsomerset weca combinedauthority funding governance mayoralelection regionalgrowth publictransport housing investment sport After nearly a decade of remaining outside, North Somerset is poised to join the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) — but what will this mean for local residents? In September 2025, North Somerset Council voted in … Read More
Reform UK Welcomes Third Somerset Councillor Following Senior Conservative Defection Wednesday, January 14, 2026 reformuk somerset councillor defection conservative localgovernment politics transport community governance Senior Conservative Councillor John Cook-Woodman has officially defected to Reform UK, marking the party’s third seat on Somerset Council. Having represented the Highbridge and Burnham South division since 2009, initially on … Read More
No Final Decision on Somerset Council Tax Increase Yet Monday, January 12, 2026 somerset counciltax budget localgovernment finance taxincrease socialcare mhclg negotiations governance Somerset residents should prepare for higher council tax bills this spring, although the council has yet to finalize the amount of the increase. Somerset Council is currently engaged in detailed negotiations with central … Read More