Top councillors in North Somerset have cautioned residents that they will likely face higher council tax bills while receiving fewer services, as the council grapples with a severe financial crisis. The upcoming budget, set for a vote in February, will determine tax rises and service cuts as the council responds to a critical funding shortfall.
Council leader Mike Bell (Weston-super-Mare Central, Liberal Democrat) revealed that an anticipated £24 million reduction in government funding over three years has pushed the council into a precarious financial position. Rising social care costs, driven by increased demand and complexity, have exacerbated the challenge.
During a Facebook livestream on December 16, Bell and three senior councillors answered public questions. Bell was frank: “We are spending more money than we have coming in.” The council legally must provide social care but receives no dedicated funding for it. Rising costs now consume almost two-thirds of council spending, yet government grants are shrinking.
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Bell explained that government support has dropped by roughly 25%, while demand and costs continue growing. This imbalance has created “really significant financial pressures” over multiple years. To address this, the council aims to transform how services are delivered, reduce service scope, and make savings—even if that means cutting or suspending some services.
However, Bell stressed that savings alone won’t balance the budget. Council tax must increase, potentially beyond the usual 4.99% cap. North Somerset is seeking government approval for an exceptional tax rise to offset soaring social care expenses. “We will be asking you to pay more and you will be getting less services,” Bell acknowledged, though the exact amount remains uncertain until government funding is confirmed.
Despite these pressures, Bell emphasized that North Somerset remains one of the lowest taxing councils in the country, with an average band D property paying £1,793.75 annually compared to an assumed £2,060 for similar councils. The council continues lobbying for increased government support to avoid steep tax hikes.
The council’s limited revenue sources—primarily fees, charges, and council tax—constrict its ability to manage this funding shortfall. Bell highlighted a potential reduction in council tax support for low-income households as a possible cost-saving measure, cautioning that without systemic change from Westminster, financial difficulties will persist indefinitely.
Roger Whitfield (Portishead East, Portishead Independent), cabinet member for adult social services, noted that government review of social care funding won’t report until 2028, leaving the council to confront a significant budget deficit in the meantime. “We are squeezing every service across the council to try and maintain the things that the law says we have to maintain,” he said.
Deputy leader Catherine Gibbons (Weston-super-Mare Milton, Labour), cabinet member for children’s services, highlighted efficiency improvements such as using artificial intelligence to expedite educational health care plans, putting North Somerset among the best performers nationally. The council is also progressing plans to open two new residential children’s homes locally, reducing reliance on costly private facilities and improving care quality.
Annemieke Waite (Winford, Green), cabinet member for planning and environment, cited the move to three-weekly black bin collections as a successful cost-saving measure that also boosted recycling rates significantly. A new weekly soft plastics collection has been widely embraced, recycling enough material to fill 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools since its summer launch.
North Somerset has encouraged town and parish councils to take over local assets like playgrounds and allotments, enabling more localized control and potentially shifting some financial responsibility. While this may increase parish precepts slightly, the impact on overall council tax bills would be minimal—“maybe the cost of a cup of coffee a week,” Whitfield said.
Regarding criticism about senior staff salaries amid budget woes, Bell noted that social care costs eclipse pay bills enormously and that the council’s salary structures align with national standards, with fewer senior staff than comparable authorities.
When faced with calls from the public to resign, Bell reaffirmed the council’s commitment to confronting tough decisions and improving North Somerset despite difficult circumstances. He urged respectful scrutiny and reminded the public that elections in 2027 offer an opportunity for change.