POTENTIAL plans to scrap South Somerset have been slammed after one councillor hit out at the county's "reckless" finance management, among other things.

Cllr Peter Seib is the portfolio holder for finance and legal services at South Somerset District Council.

He has reacted strongly to an announcement from the county council that they are considering scrapping all of Somerset's six councils in bid a save up to £28 million a year.

Yesterday, Cllr David Fothergil, leader of Somerset County Council, revealed his decision to look into options for the future that could include a smaller number of authorities, or a single authority for the whole of Somerset.

Cllr Fothergill said: "At a time of unprecedented financial pressures on all councils we are all looking at different ways to be more efficient, make savings and protect the frontline services that our residents value so much," Cllr Fothergill said.

“I believe that we owe it to our residents to look at this option too."

Here is Cllr Peter Seib's full response:


"My personal view is that this is particularly galling, given the reckless way County ran its finances. For years they made a dogmatic, political point by not raising taxes despite rising costs.

"They have not properly addressed their organisation, despite several reorganisations and redundancies, and they have retained costly functions that could have been devolved to Districts.

"Lots of useful functions, such as the County Laboratories, have been ceased without replacement and many county functions, such as rights of way and the youth service, have struggled.

"It was not long ago that the Chief Finance Officer ended up formally warning the Council and stopping new expenditure. It must be awful for the public servants to work under such pressures.

"When you compare that with the performance of Somerset's District councils there is a sharp contrast everywhere except in West Somerset, which followed the same low tax dogma.

"Here in South Somerset, a responsible, pro-active political approach has ensured sound finances, a lower cost base and well-oiled services across the board. Officers are keen to serve and empowered.

"The case against a county-wide Unitary remains exactly as before. Travel time, there are myriad small communities requiring representation and wanting to see locally decisions by local people.

"That requires local presence (and councillors). There is also the administrative burden of being 'big' and 'working at distance'. Both drive extra layers of management into the organisation.

"It is very generous of Cllr Fothergill to unilaterally offer to fall on his sword and surrender his role. The one thing which we know cannot work is a County-wide Unitary.

"I would, of course, support South Somerset going unitary. It would bring local government to the people and allow much better local services.

"South Somerset is an appropriate size, it already hosts most of the County functions delivered here and this transfer into local control is going to be by far and away the simplest option to put into effect both physically and organisationally. 

"The last time a County Unitary was proposed, the counter-proposal was a two-unitary solution with South Somerset joining with Mendip DC. That has some problems in size and delivery."


For more coverage on this surprising announcement, click here.

To read what Cllr Ric Pallister, the leader of South Somerset District Council had to say, click here.

To see the ongoing reaction to SCC's statement, click here.

Let us know - What do you think of these potential plans?