Agenda item

This matter is the responsibility of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts.

This report presents the Business Case for Full Council’s consideration.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·         The Chair of Scrutiny gave feedback from the discussions had at the Scrutiny Committee.  This included comments that the New Council would need to be reformed for the community, concerns were raised on devolution of responsibilities to the Town and Parish Councils and the impact on their precepts and also concern on staffing levels.  Overall the Scrutiny Committee gave their support for the Stronger Somerset campaign.

·         Councillors highlighted that they believed the Stronger Somerset business case was a good representation and they also agreed with the East/West split.  They wanted modern democracy and inclusion for all councillors.

·         Councillors hoped that the Stronger Somerset business case was heard by Central Government.

·         Councillors wanted to ensure that there was a good level of public involvement in the consultation period.

·         Concern was raised on some of the service areas currently covered by Somerset County Council (SCC) and that further detail was required, especially for Education, Young People and Adult Social Services and Health Services.

·         Councillors wanted to ensure that the Town/Parish Councils were encouraged to take part in the webinars and the consultation.

·         Concern was raised that the timing was not great for the unitary debate, considering there was a global pandemic and that Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) had only been in operation for a year.

·         Councillors went on to thank all the officers of SWT for their hard work over the past 18 months, through the creation of SWT and also through the challenges of the Covid Pandemic.

·         Concern was raised on the disruption for the community and that a big part of the problem was the lack of funding provided by Central Government for local services.

·         Councillors suggested that one unitary council would be too large for the area and that the local services would be cut.

·         Councillors hoped that Central Government would decide on what was best for the community.

·         Concern was raised on the amount of councillors and the allocation of those across the New Council area.

·         Further concern was raised on how councillors would provide support for the remote areas of the New Council.

·         Some Councillors highlighted that the unitary debate had been ongoing for many years and that it was good to have discussions on the different options.

·         Councillors highlighted that they did not want to lose focus on the work being carried out on Climate Change.

·         The Leader thanked all Councillors for their comments and support for the business case and gave her reassurance on the many points raised during the debate and wanted to ensure that the Town/Parish Councils were involved and that the best outcome was achieved for the community of Somerset.

Resolved that Full Council:-

a)    Approved the Business Case for the reform of local government including the creation of two unitary Councils within Somerset; 

b)    Delegated authority to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive, in consultation with the other Somerset District Leaders and Chief Executives, to make minor amendments to the Business Case as necessary and/or appropriate, ahead of its submission to the Secretary of State;

c)    Supported the continuing consultation with local stakeholders, above and beyond any programme of consultation that might be required by the Government in due course; and

d)    Noted that in the best interests of the communities and residents of Somerset West and Taunton, the Council would continue to work with colleagues across all tiers of local government and public service in Somerset.