SOMERSET residents will see an extra £67 on their Council Tax bills from April as the county council increased its precept as it looks to save £10m.

At today's (February 21) Somerset County Council full council meeting  members voted on the 2018/19 Medium Term Financial Plan which includes the revenue budget and the Capital Investment Programme.

Councillor David Fothergill, cabinet member for Strategy, Customers and Communities and leader of Somerset County Council, introduced the Capital Investment Programme which will see more than £91million of investment across Somerset. 

A capital programme of £218m over the next four years was approved including £120m for school buildings in what is the biggest investment of its kind in generations.

It also includes funding for the M5 Junction 25 improved works, Yeovil Western Corridor, gritter replacement and the Colley Lane Southern Access Road in Bridgwater.

This amount could increase by a further £15million if the council’s bid to the Housing Infrastructure Fund is successful.

Leader of the Council, Councillor David Fothergill, said: “I’m pleased to be able to present a budget that is not only balanced, but demonstrates our ambition and commitment to meet the needs of our residents, especially our children and young people.

“Like local authorities, our finances are under pressure - our funding from central Government is falling by £10m this year alone. But we are still able to fund our priorities - which are in line with those of our residents – investing in the right things at the right time.”

Councillor Jane Lock, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said all Liberal Democrat councillors would be abstaining from the budget vote

She said: "We recognise the move from delusion to reality. 

"Of course we support the building of new schools but also take out the sale of £70million of assets over two administrations. 

"We cannot support this capital budget."

But Cllr Dean Ruddle, Conservative said the new investment programme is 'one of the best things' the council has ever done.

He said: "This capital investment programme is one of the best things we’ve ever done.

"It will make such a difference for our schools and we’ve got to support it.”

Cllr David Hall, cabinet member for resources and economic development, said: "We are investing in the right things at the right time."

Councillors voted 42 - 0 in favour of the capital investment programme but there were 11 abstentions from Liberal Democrat councillors.

Councillor David Hall, cabinet member for resources and economic development, then spoke about the revenue budget and the need for £10million of savings from the central government grant.

The proposed revenue budget sets out the council’s day to day running costs and features saving proposals to close its estimated £13m budget gap.

These include a comprehensive review of all existing and planned contracts, reducing third party spend, more enhanced procurement and a reduction of 100 County Council posts.

This includes a council tax increase of 2.99 per cent and 3 per cent precept for social care.

For a Band D property the annual council tax bill will rise from £1,124.79 in 2017/18 to £1,192.16 in 2018/19 - a rise of £67.37, or £1.30 per week. 

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Hall, said: “It is becoming more and more difficult to find new savings.

"We will continue to receive a smaller grant for the next two years.

“We will continue to lobby for more interim funding, in reflection of the national issue of social care.

“The council tax rise is a must to make ends meet.”

The Liberal Democrats spoke in opposition to the revenue budget with Cllr Jane Lock describing the council's savings plan as 'rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic'. 

But Cllr Hall said the savings plans are achieveable and asked for parties to work together to provide the savings. 

Councillors voted 33 - 30 in favour of the revenue budget.