Speaking after a meeting with the Minister of State for Local Government, Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox said his priority was securing the best possible outcome for Somerset residents, while being clear that serious failings at County Hall cannot be ignored.
Ashley Fox said, “It is my job to get the best financial settlement for my constituents, so I was happy to meet with the minister and argue with Liberal Democrat MPs that Somerset deserves a better deal. But I also have to tell you that Somerset does not manage our money well.”
He said the meeting was an opportunity to raise specific challenges facing Somerset, including rural service delivery and pressures, but stressed that funding alone does not explain the council’s financial position.
Ashley Fox pointed to repeated warnings from independent auditors about poor financial controls, failure to set balanced budgets in good time, and weak oversight of major projects, including the Glastonbury Life Factory. He also highlighted millions spent on agency staff and consultants, and costly property decisions that have left taxpayers millions of pounds worse off.
He said, “So whilst I’ll always try and get the best deal for my constituents, I have to say to the Liberal Democrats who are trying to run Somerset Council, they’re not doing a very good job and they’re not looking after our money.”
Ashley Fox added that residents are now being asked to consider the possibility of an 11% council tax rise, something he believes households cannot afford, particularly when confidence in the council’s financial management is very low.
“There’s an awful lot of bad administration for which the Liberal Democrats are responsible,” he said.
Responding to claims from Anna Sabine about previous council tax freezes, Ashley Fox said it was important to be accurate. Council tax freezes were introduced under the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Coalition Government and were supported across parties at the time. Liberal Democrat MP for Wells Tessa Munt, who now sits on Somerset Council, was a serving MP when those policies were in place, and Liberal Democrat-run district councils also froze council tax.
Ashley Fox said previous Conservative administrations in Somerset froze council tax while also balancing the books, something auditors have since criticised the current Liberal Democrat leadership for failing to do.
Summing up his position, Ashley Fox said, “So yes, of course I’ll go to the government and say Somerset needs a better deal. But at the same time I’m going to turn to those councillors running the council and say you really should stop wasting our money and do a better job.”
