North Somerset Council has announced it will almost certainly need to raise council tax beyond the usual 5% cap, as it faces a significant shortfall due to reduced government funding. The council is formally seeking …
The Labour government’s proposal to impose a mansion tax on homes valued over £2 million has drawn sharp criticism from a leading Bath councillor tasked with managing the local council’s finances. Under the planned “high …
The Labour government’s proposal to impose a mansion tax on homes valued over £2 million has been met with strong criticism from Bath’s cabinet member for resources, Mark Elliott. Describing the scheme as “completely unfair,” …
North Somerset faces the possibility of being governed by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) mayor it did not vote for, as the council moves towards joining WECA. Although North Somerset initially declined to join …
North Somerset could soon become part of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and find itself governed by a mayor its residents did not vote for. Although the council initially declined to join WECA when it was …
North Somerset residents could find themselves governed by a West of England Mayor they did not vote for if their council joins the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) before the next mayoral election in 2029. When WECA …
Somerset Council has decided not to provide any further input on the county’s future electoral boundaries, describing the ongoing government consultation process as “laborious, brutal and challenging.” The Local Government …
Somerset Council has decided not to provide any further input on the ongoing review of the county’s local election boundaries. Describing the government-led consultation process as “laborious, brutal and challenging,” council …
Michael Dunk, a Somerset Green Party councillor representing Frome West, may not have to immediately vacate his council seat following his recent imprisonment. Dunk, affectionately known as “Mick,” was sentenced on December …
A Somerset farmer, Alan King, has been refused permission to place up to 36 shipping containers near the River Brue at Brue Farm in Street. His application, submitted in November 2023, aimed to diversify the use of his …
North Somerset Council is contemplating cuts to its council tax reduction scheme in an effort to save £500,000, a move that local officials warn could drive more residents into deeper poverty. The council is grappling with …
A North Somerset Council cabinet member has raised urgent concerns that proposed cuts to the council tax reduction scheme may push vulnerable residents into deeper poverty. Facing an unprecedented financial crisis, the …
North Somerset Council is once again considering cutting council tax support for the area’s poorest residents—a year after shelving a similar proposal amid strong criticism that it was “so discriminatory” it might be illegal. …
Auditors working with local governments are reporting unprecedented financial strain, marking every council’s finances as “red” amid rising debts in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and social care. This dire …
Bath and North East Somerset Council has named Sophie Broadfield as its new Chief Executive Officer, with a starting salary of £175,000 per year. Broadfield, who has served as the council’s Director of Sustainable Communities …