Laura Sharman 21 March 2018

Two councils vote in favour of merger

Two Somerset councils have backed plans to dissolve both existing councils and create a single new one.

Taunton Deane Borough and West Somerset Councils have agreed to start the legal process of creating one new council in a bid to save £3.1m a year.

The two councils have already been partners since 2013 and share a single team of staff.

Cllr John Williams, leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, said the partnership between the two councils has delivered yearly savings of £1.8m.

‘Looking ahead, we want to increase those savings by a further £3.1m a year through transforming the way we work and creating a new council and the savings made, ploughed back into maintaining and enhancing the much valued services we provide to our community,’ he said.

Leader of West Somerset Council, Anthony Trollope-Bellew, added: ‘West Somerset Council has struggled financially which has been known for some years. We are far stronger together to deliver the economies of scale for the new council so delivering a viable and sustainable new council into the future.’

The councils agreed the name of the new council should be Somerset West and Taunton, there should be 58 councillors, and a cabinet model should be adopted with up to 10 members.

Local government minister, Sajid Javid, will make the final decision on the proposal.

Making payment processes smarter  image

Making payment processes smarter

It can be challenging to find the right software to streamline payment processes. Lewis McKenna-Crisp argues SmarterPay has the ideal solution for councils.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Worker

Essex County Council
£27934.00 - £35344.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Residential WorkerPermanent, Full Time£27,934 up to £35,344 Per Annum (includes allowance) equal to £14.48 to £18.32 Per HourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Early Years Keyworker

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
Want to make a difference for children with special educational needs in Greenwich? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Early Years Area SENCo

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£39,855 - £42,324
Have you got extensive experience in working within Early Years, with a clear understanding of child development Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Young Persons Substance Misuse Service Pathfinder

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Are you looking to change the lives of young people? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Regulatory Compliance Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
You will be an apprentice embedded within the Trading Standards team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner