The Government has issued Somerset Council with a Best Value Notice - an urgent order to get its finances into shape. The decision to issue the notice is a significant moment for local government here: it's a clear signal that ministers have serious concerns about the Lib Dem authority’s governance, leadership and financial resilience. The notice places Somerset under closer oversight and expects meaningful improvements over the coming months.
The notice serves as a reminder of the importance of strong, transparent and accountable local government. We all rightly expect the council to manage public finances responsibly, make well-informed decisions and provide reliable services. When concerns reach the point where central government feels compelled to intervene, it inevitably affects public confidence.
Rising demand for adult social care and children’s services, inflation and other funding pressures have created genuine challenges, but those wider pressures only reinforce the responsibility to ensure robust financial planning, realistic budgeting and effective governance. Spending millions on agency staff and consultants, losing around £90m selling a portfolio of assets that took decades to build, and receiving a one-star CIPFA rating for financial management have all been own goals of the current administration: money wasted when it was needed the most.
Cheddar, Axbridge and Shipham campaigner Graham Godwin-Pearson says, "The Best Value Notice should be a wake-up call for Somerset Council, and a catalyst for positive change, providing an opportunity for the current administration to strive for stronger governance, financial competence and service delivery.
"It's a moment that calls for honesty: local government works best when there is openness, cooperation and a shared commitment to serving the public. We will continue to scrutinise decisions carefully, challenge where necessary and support sensible proposals that improve outcomes for everyone in Cheddar, Axbridge and Shipham."
