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Local Government in Somerset

Somerset Unitary Council – from April 1st 2023

Somerset Unitary Council became responsible for all Council Services previously provided by the Five Councils (Four District Councils and Somerset County Council).

We have been represented on the Unitary Council by Sarah Dyke and Nicola Clark – contact details available on our Councillors page. As from April 2023 they will issue a monthly report with updates and initiatives we can expect to see as the Unitary Council begins its work.

The new monthly reports will be made available to download or read below:-

The Transformation process

The decision has been taken that the current system of Governance in Somerset will change from its current model of a County Council and four District Councils to a single Unitary Council. There will be elections in May 2022 to elect 110 Councillors for the new Unitary Council which will be responsible for all public service delivery by May 2023.

In the intervening 12 months services will continue to be provided under the current system and preparations will be made for the Unitary council to take over. In order to make the changes happen a number of groups have been formed

Local Government Reorganisation Joint Committee (LGR)

The LGR Joint Committee is designed to steer the move to a new single council. A number of democratic decisions and actions will need to be taken before the new unitary council is established in 2023. The LGR Joint Committee will oversee the implementation plan and development of the new unitary council’s constitution and budget. It has nine members, the leaders of the district and county councils and four further members of the County Council cabinet.

Local Government Reorganisation Advisory Board

The Advisory Board is a less formal public meeting and is designed to provide a way for councillors, public sector partners, the public and other interested groups to feed into the process and share ideas as the new council takes shape. The Board will develop links to Somerset Youth Parliament.

The Board’s role is advisory, but its proposals, ideas and recommendations will feed into the unitary programme and the decision-making Joint Committee. Meetings will be held monthly in locations around the county.

Local Government Reorganisation Scrutiny Committee (LGR Scrutiny)

LGR Scrutiny will work in the manner of scrutiny elsewhere in local government, operating as a critical friend and providing oversight and review of policy development ahead of decision making by the LGR Joint Committee, and ensuring that decision making processes are robust and transparent.

The representatives of this committee are current councillors from all regions of the County

Regular updates available

A new website has been set up to enable members of the public to stay up to date with the transition and all meetings of the above groups will be reported on the site. The Local Government Reorganisation Advisory Board Meetings are public meetings and will be held in different locations around the County.

To access the website click here

Latest Updates

For a full list of updates on this topic click here.