Image caption, Six of Somerset's MPs met with a government minister to call for better funding models for local councilByPaul Barltrop, West of England political editor and Dan Ayers, SomersetPublished14 January 2026 A group of MPs have met with a government minister to raise concerns about funding for local councils in the West. Somerset Council leader Bill Revans has warned it may need to raise council tax by 11% and is in talks with the government to more than double the permitted limit. The county's Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs met with Alison McGovern – who looks after local councils – to get reassurances the authority will be able to stay afloat. Elsewhere, North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell said the authority does not want to increase council tax but "something has to give" to continue to fund and maintain local services. Somerset Council is setting its annual budget in February, which is expected to include a significant increase in council tax bills as it attempts to plug a £73m budget gap driven by rising demand for local services.
Published: January 14, 2026 5:25 pm
Source: BBC — Read original