The Somerset County Council financial crisis
How did Somerset reach this point, what does this mean for the people of Somerset and where do we go from here?
A briefing document from the Liberal Democrats
Somerset County Council has been in the news – nationally and locally - as it continues to struggle with an extremely serious financial situation. This could, if not addressed properly, lead to the Council effectively declaring itself bankrupt, at which point Government would send Commissioners in to run the Council’s finances and oversee its operations.
Lib Dems select Caroline McKinnell and Tom Ronan for Wells City & Mendip by-elections
Wells Liberal Democrats have selected local residents Caroline McKinnell and Tom Ronan as their candidates in the upcoming by-election in St Thomas' ward in Wells. Caroline is standing for the City, Tom for Mendip.
County’s Conservative MPs failing the people of Somerset over Council crisis
Former Somerset MP and current Lib Dem councillor, Tessa Munt, has slammed the five Conservative MPs representing the County for failing to gain Westminster’s backing to help sort out the Council’s financial crisis.
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Opposition councillors demand extraordinary council meeting as Somerset heads towards bankruptcy
Somerset’s Lib Dem county councillors have called on the chair of Somerset County Council to hold an extraordinary meeting to explain the Conservatives’ emergency budget in more detail and ensure that it is sufficiently robust to prevent Government officials stepping in and shutting down the County Council.
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Opposition says Somerset County Council is 'on the brink of bankruptcy'
“Somerset Council Leader David Fothergill is shirking responsibility for the vicious cuts to public services,” says Jane Lock, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition on Somerset County Council, after Mr Fothergill placed the blame for the crisis at the door of the Conservative Government.
County Lines Up Further Cuts
"Conservatives’ financial incompetence has driven Somerset to the brink of bankruptcy," says Lib Dem Leader, as Council releases its latest "Chopping List" of 76 service cuts.
SOMERSET TORIES FALL VICTIM TO THEIR OWN IDEOLOGY
After eight years of putting ideology before common sense, the Tory-run Somerset County Council is facing a catalogue of failures.
Tessa Munt selected as parliamentary candidate for Wells
Wells Liberal Democrats have selected their Parliamentary candidate for the next General Election.
Tessa Munt was chosen from a shortlist of three at a selection meeting on Wednesday night (30th May).
Major victory in ban on cold-calling - local info translates into national action
Former MP Tessa Munt is celebrating a major victory in the fight against cold-calling.
Thanks to the persistence of Lib Dems in Parliament, the Government has finally accepted crucial amendments to the Financial Guidance & Claims Bill which is due to be debated in the House of Commons soon.
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Save Street Library
Liz Leyshon, County Councillor for Glastonbury & Street, has been leading the campaign to save Street Library.
The County Council is running a public consultation on the future of Somerset’s Libraries and on 8th March a formal consultation meeting was held in Street. Two classes of children from nearby Elmhurst School came to the Library in their World Book Day costumes, chanting “Save Our Library” and carrying their home-made banners and signs. They made their case in the most eloquent way, with specially adapted songs and their own little stories of why the Library matters to them and their families. ITV local WestCountry news covered the children’s contribution as well as the story of the Library consultation.
