Top Bath Councillor Criticizes Mansion Tax as ‘Completely Unfair’ Friday, December 12, 2025 mansiontax counciltax bath propertytax localgovernment taxreform socialcare propertyowners governmentfinance taxpolicy 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,” … Read More
North Somerset Council Proposes Reducing Tax Discounts for Thousands Amid Financial Struggles Wednesday, December 3, 2025 northsomerset counciltax discounts financialcrisis workingage poverty consultation hardship socialcare budgetcuts North Somerset Council is once again considering cutting the council tax discounts given to its lowest-income residents, a move that could impact approximately 6,400 working-age households. This follows last year’s abandoned … Read More
6,400 Households Could Face Reduced Council Tax Support in North Somerset Amid Financial Crisis Wednesday, December 3, 2025 northsomerset counciltax discounts financialcuts housingsupport socialcare budgetcrisis hardshipfund localgovernment consultation 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 … Read More
Finances 'Red' Across Councils as SEND and Social Care Debts Soar Monday, December 1, 2025 send finances councils audit sustainability deficit socialcare northsomerset budget government Across the country, local government auditors have consistently rated council finances as “red,” reflecting a widespread crisis fueled by mounting debts from special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and social care. … Read More
Greens Criticized for 'Terminator-Style' AI Concerns in Bath Council Debate Thursday, November 27, 2025 ai ethics bath council socialcare transparency efficiency technology policy greenparty Green councillors advocating for Bath and North East Somerset Council to adopt a formal AI ethics policy faced criticism likening their concerns to the dystopian Skynet from the film The Terminator. Skynet, a self-aware AI … 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