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The council submitted a formal request for council tax flexibility in December, and has this week been told that it is one of just seven councils nationally being given permission to raise council tax by more than 4.99 per cent.
North Somerset is historically a low council tax area - it’s currently second lowest in the South-West. The council is also facing increasing demand and costs, particularly in children and adult services. For every £100 spent, £62 is spent on children and adult services.
It’s also seen a reduction in government funding. In 2014, 25% of funding was from government grants. By 2025, this was just 11%. Before Christmas, the council also heard that it was set to lose a further £18.6m after the government’s recent Fair Funding Review - creating a perfect financial storm.
The Government has told North Somerset that it can raise council tax for one year only by up to 8.99 per cent. This would work out as an extra £3.10 a week or £13.44 a month for a typical Band D property compared with the current amount. This increase relates only to North Somerset Council’s share of council tax bills.
This increase alone is not enough to enable the council to set a balanced budget for 2026/27 and even with the additional council tax income, the council will still have to identify an extra £2.4million in savings. This is in on top of the £18 million in savings already set out in the draft budget proposals.
Cllr Mike Bell, Leader of the Council, said: None of us wants to raise council tax beyond the usual limits, but our financial position has worsened and demand and cost pressures have increased every year since 2010.
“Many councils applied to government for Exceptional Financial Support, so to be one of only seven across the country to be granted permission gives some indication of the severity of our situation. Permission for flexibility is only granted after an independent review of our budget and close scrutiny by government officials.
“No decisions have yet been made, and it will be up to councillors to decide whether to implement the 8.99 per cent increase, and how to achieve the additional savings needed when we meet to set the budget on 24 February.
“In the meantime, although I would rather we weren’t facing this decision, I welcome the fact that the government has recognised the impossible position we face in North Somerset after years of campaigning for fairer funding. It is disappointing that the government’s solution is to expect our residents to find additional cash each month when we are still in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis rather than giving North Somerset the fair funding we need.”
Council tax levels in North Somerset would still be below the national average after a rise of 8.99 per cent and fourth lowest in the Southwest. Council tax help and support will be available for those eligible.
In her letter to the council, Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, said: “The government recognises the challenging position faced by councils and the significant work that is needed to fix the foundations of local government.
“The Government is delivering on much needed reform, so funding is redistributed in a fairer way.
“Reform will take time and there is potential for continued instability as we work to fix the foundations of local government.
“That is why there will continue to be a framework in place to support councils in the most difficult positions.”
North Somerset Council’s budget setting meeting will take place on Tuesday 24 February at 6pm at the Town Hall in Weston-super-Mare. The papers for the meeting will be published on the council’s website a week before the meeting at: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/meetings.
Members of the public are welcome to attend in person and the meeting will also be streamed live, and available for playback afterwards, on the council’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/northsomersetcouncil.