When the Government takes the right decision, I will say so. Blocking the Liberal Democrats’ request to push council tax above the 4.99% referendum limit is the right outcome for Somerset residents.
Hundreds of people have written to me worried about the impact of a £200 hike on their household budgets, and this decision will bring real relief to families and pensioners already under pressure.
The message to the Liberal Democrat administration is clear: stop wasting money and get a grip on the council’s finances. Independent auditors have already criticised the council for failing to put forward credible savings plans at pace, and residents should not be expected to pay more to cover up that failure
