Council Leader Slams Government’s ‘Austerity in Disguise’ Over Funding Cuts Saturday, September 13, 2025 northsomerset funding austerity counciltax localgovernment budgetcuts socialcare governmentpolicy fairfunding community North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell has labelled the government’s proposed ‘fair funding review’ as “austerity in disguise,” highlighting concerns that the changes could slash the council’s funding by nearly a fifth. The … Read More
Somerset Council Chief Executive and Senior Officers to Receive Pay Increase Wednesday, September 10, 2025 somerset council payincrease chiefexecutive leadership salaries budget hrcommittee inflation localgovernment The chief executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, along with his senior leadership team, will receive a backdated pay increase following approval by councillors. The raise aligns with a nationally agreed one-year pay … Read More
Somerset Council Chief Executive and Senior Officers to Receive Backdated Pay Increase Wednesday, September 10, 2025 somerset council pay chiefexecutive salary inflation localgovernment budget leadership hrcommittee The chief executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, along with his most senior officers, will receive a backdated pay increase following councillors' formal approval. This decision aligns with the National Joint Council … Read More
Somerset Conservative Councillor Christine Lawrence Steps Down, Triggering Autumn By-Election Wednesday, September 10, 2025 somerset councillor by-election conservative dunster retirement council localgovernment minehead politics Christine Lawrence, a Conservative councillor who has represented the Dunster division in Somerset for over 20 years, has announced her retirement, prompting a by-election expected to take place later this autumn. Ms Lawrence … 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