Finances 'Red' at Every Council as SEND Debts Spiral, Warn Auditors Monday, December 1, 2025 send localgovernment finance audit northsomerset council deficit budget care debt 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 … Read More
Council Appoints Sophie Broadfield as New CEO with £175k Starting Salary Sunday, November 30, 2025 council ceo appointment sophiebroadfield willgodfrey localgovernment bath salary leadership community 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 … Read More
New Homes Could Connect Two Villages – What You Need to Know Saturday, November 29, 2025 housing development villages community planning infrastructure localgovernment expansion settlements urbanplanning Plans for new housing developments have sparked discussions about the potential merging of two neighboring villages, currently separated by only around 100 metres. This close proximity means the proposed homes could … Read More
Planning Inspector Approves Crewkerne Development After Local Opposition Thursday, November 27, 2025 crewkerne development housing sustainability planning affordable flooding infrastructure localgovernment construction Efforts by Crewkerne residents and Somerset Council to halt the construction of nearly 150 new homes at the town’s southern edge have been unsuccessful. The proposed development, dubbed Maple Grove, is set to bring … Read More
Council ‘Rainy Day’ Fund Set to Plunge by £65m Over Three Years Thursday, November 27, 2025 northsomerset councilfinance reserves budget socialcare auditors financialplanning governmentfunding localgovernment costcuts North Somerset Council’s financial reserves are on track to decline dramatically, falling from £125.8 million in 2023/24 to just over £40 million by 2027/28, according to a report by external auditors Grant Thornton. This … Read More
Potential Tourist Tax Proposed for Weston-super-Mare Amid Financial Pressures Wednesday, November 26, 2025 tourism tax northsomerset westonsupermare budget infrastructure visitoreconomy localgovernment metromayor levy North Somerset Council is reconsidering the introduction of a tourist tax in popular towns like Weston-super-Mare following a recent announcement from the government. Local Government Secretary Steve Reed outlined that mayors … Read More