Unitary Somerset from April 2023

Unitary Somerset Council created 2 levels of local government, rather than the 3 that existed previously:

a) the County

b) Parish, Town, City and Borough Councils.

There are no longer District Councils such as Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset or Somerset West & Taunton, so you may need to know what services the new Unitary Somerset Council is providing.

Somerset Council's homepage can be found here, and the directory of their services as a poster can be seen below.

There is a 10-weekpublic consultation inviting proposals for new council divisions and division boundaries for Somerset Council.

Our consultation will close on 20 January 2025.

After we have considered all representations made to us during this consultation, we intend to publish draft recommendations in June 2025.

We will then hold a further period of consultation on our draft recommendations. Our final recommendations are expected to be published in December 2025.

The new electoral arrangements will come into effect at the local elections in 2027.

Our electoral review will recommend new electoral arrangements for Somerset Council. We will propose:

• the total number of councillors elected to the council in the future;
• the number of divisions;
• the number of councillors representing each division;
• division boundaries; and
• the names of divisions.

HAVE YOUR SAY on a new political map for Somerset

The Local Government Boundary Commission welcome views from individuals and organisations across Somerset Council on where they think new division boundaries should be drawn.

We are minded to recommend that 96councillors should be elected to Somerset Council in the future.

This is 14 fewer than the current number of councillors.

We are now inviting proposals to help us draw up a pattern of divisions to accommodate 96 councillors.

In drawing up new electoral divisions, we must balance three legal criteria, namely:

• to deliver electoral equality: where each councillor represents roughly the same number of electors as others across the county;
• that the pattern of divisions should, as far as possible, reflect the interests and identities of local communities;
• that the electoral arrangements should provide for effective and convenient local government.

Being a Unitary, and geographically large, authority, Somerset Council understands that local communities should feel involved, empowered and represented in local decision making, community development and pride and community spirit.

Local Community Networks are a significant aspect of this and will begin to work to nuture, shape and advance local communities across the entire County, with parishes, towns and cities working together.

The handbook, compiled by Somerset Council, includes Terms of Reference, Chair and Vice Chair roles/responsibilities, meeting procedures, an LCN map, plus parish listings. It can be viewed HERE.

Please find below the invitations, meeting links for online attending and agendas for Wells & Rural LCN Meetings.

• Somerset Council Customer Access points provide assisted digital access to our online services and virtual meetings.
• In these locations customers will be able to use our online services supported by the staff in those locations, in the majority of case this is library staff who are well trained in providing digital support.
• Customers will also be able to bring in documentation to be digitally uploaded and sent to the appropriate Somerset Council team.
• Customers will also have direct access to the Customer Service team through our virtual environment. Through this platform they will have access to each of the area customer service teams who will be able to give advice and support our customers.