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Calling for a fair deal for North Somerset

We’re doing all that we can to urge national government to look at council funding. We want their support on a fairer deal so that we can continue to deliver vital services here in North Somerset. 

We know they are listening and trying to help – so now is a key time to stand up and make our voices heard.   

A financial emergency 

Year-on-year cuts to our budgets and an increase in service demand mean that we currently face an unprecedented financial emergency. The current cost of delivering our services could come to £24m more than we have available by March 2025. 

This is a situation many councils are finding themselves in. The Local Government Association website is now reporting that 1 in 4 councils across the country are at risk of serving a Section 114 notice

In North Somerset our financial challenge is complicated by the way the government allocates funding. This is based on varying factors that mean we already lose out on £50m a year compared to our neighbours. This has forced us into making cuts and increasing charges. 

You can read more about this on our dedicated webpage.

Our hands are also tied when it comes to introducing charges that might have smaller impacts on residents - for example a tourist tax. We also face tight rules and restrictions on

  • how we can spend funding pots secured from government and;
  • developer contributions such as Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

You can read more about this on our dedicated webpage.

How you can help

We’re doing all that we can to avoid issuing a Section 114 notice, but we can only make so many savings. With no change in how we’re funded or more control over how we can raise and use funds, our financial pressures will continue to grow.  

We want a fairer deal for North Somerset, a deal that lets us protect important services that our residents value. This is why we’re now urging the government to break away from years of cuts to council budgets. We want them to find solutions that will help us rise to the challenge of our current financial emergency.  

Sign our petition and pledge your support. Join us to call on the government for a fairer deal so that we can protect services and continue to deliver for our communities.

What happens next

The Treasury announced £1.3bn for councils in the autumn budget statement. This is a recognition of the challenges facing councils. £600m has been set aside for adult social care and £230m to tackle homelessness. However, the Local Government Association reports a combined £2.3bn funding gap for councils across the country.  

In December, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will set out details of the Local Government Finance Settlement. This will tell us how funding will be shared between councils and their services.  

In December, we will write to MHCLG. We will enclose your signatures on our petition. We will set out why North Somerset needs a fair deal and urge the government to help us tackle our financial emergency and avoid Section 114.  

There’s strength in numbers. Every signature counts. We stress just how important it is that the government help us safeguard the services we provide.