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Somerset Council: Funding and Governance
30 January 2024
Lead MP
Marcus Fysh
Yeovil
Con
Responding Minister
Simon Hoare
Tags
EconomyLocal Government
Word Count: 8494
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Marcus Fysh raised concerns about somerset council: funding and governance in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP calls on the Government to support Somerset Council with additional funding, especially for social care, while ensuring the council does not enter special measures or face a section 114 notice. He urges Ministers to consider structural changes that could improve accountability and effectiveness in local governance.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The MP is concerned about the lack of funding and governance issues at Somerset Council, particularly under the current Liberal Democrat administration. He notes that a significant debt of over £350 million has hindered service delivery and that non-statutory services such as recreation centres are threatened due to budget constraints. The MP also highlights missed opportunities for economic growth and development in areas like Yeovil.
Daniel Poulter
Con
Stortford
He highlighted the challenges for local authority budgets, particularly upper-tier councils, from rising social care costs. He referred to the Office for Local Government's report which concluded that poor civil service and political leadership were responsible for failures in council finances.
Bridgwater and West Somerset
He agreed with his hon. Friend and expressed concern about the potential impact of special measures on Somerset Council, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation to maintain essential services. He also raised issues related to levelling up in Somerset, including skills development, rural deprivation, and opportunities for young people. Mr Liddell-Grainger highlighted the historical context of Somerset Council's funding issues under previous governments, praising the current Minister for his efforts to address the situation. He expressed concerns over potential negative impacts if commissioners were appointed, such as the closure of recycling centres and reduction in road funding. He also warned about excessive council tax hikes and the difficulty councils face when taking on new assets. Liddell-Grainger emphasised the importance of infrastructure projects like Hinkley Point and Gravity site for economic growth and job creation.
Jeremy Lefroy
Con
Stone
The MP supports the need for Somerset Council to take responsibility for its financial situation, highlighting the importance of protecting non-statutory services that are essential for communities.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Jim McMahon highlighted the common issues in local government finance and governance. He emphasised that Somerset Council faces significant funding challenges due to reduced central Government support and increased demand for services such as child protection, elderly care, and homelessness assistance. McMahon also noted that only 1% of English councils published their audited accounts by the statutory deadline in 2022-24, indicating a need for improved financial oversight.
Sarah Dyke
Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Local authorities face a broken funding model that has decimated council finances, leading to significant pressures on Somerset Council's budget due to high inflation and spiralling costs in social care. The council declared a financial emergency, with a £100 million funding gap for the next year. Sarah highlighted historical issues including six years of council tax freezes from 2010 reducing income by at least £24 million annually and significant cuts to services totaling £150 million under previous administrations. She also pointed out Somerset's low council tax rates compared to neighbouring areas, which has left the county with a funding shortfall despite having an ageing population facing rising care costs.
Government Response
Simon Hoare
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Pritchard. The Minister acknowledged the comments made in the debate and highlighted that the public cares about service delivery rather than political affiliations. He reminded the House that his party inherited the local government funding formula from the previous Labour Government. The Minister noted Somerset Council's role in fostering economic growth and congratulated it for its efforts. However, he criticised Somerset Council for delaying efficiency plans despite clear evidence of cost savings. Somerset's budget has increased by 6% to £565.3 million in '24-'25, with no cuts this financial year. The Minister clarified that a section 114 notice does not equate to bankruptcy but ensures continuity of services for the vulnerable. He emphasised the importance of levelling-up efforts across rural and coastal areas alongside urban regions. The Minister pledged to address audit issues in the near future and called on Somerset Council to meet residents' needs effectively, stressing the need for partnership between central and local government.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.