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
Reform UK Strengthens Somerset Presence as Senior Conservative Councillor Defects Wednesday, January 14, 2026 reformuk somerset councillor defection conservatives localgovernment politics johncookwoodman somersetcouncil transport In a significant political shift, senior Conservative councillor John Cook-Woodman has joined Reform UK, increasing the party’s representation on Somerset Council to three members. Cook-Woodman has been a dedicated … Read More
No Final Decision Yet on Somerset Council Tax Increase Amount Monday, January 12, 2026 somerset counciltax budget localgovernment finance taxincrease socialcare governmentnegotiations councilservices budgetgap Somerset residents can expect an increase in their council tax bills this spring, although the final amount remains undecided. Somerset Council is currently in detailed negotiations with the central government to finalize its … 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
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