The Council’s duties and services
The Council’s duties and services are managed by the elected councillors (known within the Council as ‘members’) through its democratic structure.
In accordance with government legislation, the Unitary Council has:
- Appointed a Leader of Council, who has formed a single party Executive of ten members (together they take key decisions and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Council)
- Five cross-party Scrutiny Committees:
- Scrutiny for Climate and Place
- Scrutiny for Children and Families
- Scrutiny for Adults and Health
- Scrutiny for Communities
- Scrutiny for Corporate and Resources
- A Licensing and Regulatory Committee responsible for the Council’s licensing functions
- A Strategic Planning Committee, along with four Area Planning Committees responsible for the Council’s planning and regulatory functions
- A Health and Wellbeing Board involving representatives from several partners
The Unitary Council of 110 elected members is responsible for deciding the democratic arrangements for the Council, agreeing our policy framework and each year’s budget.
Working together as a unitary
Somerset Council came into being on April 1 2023. The new unitary council brought together the services previously provided by the four district councils in Somerset (Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, and South Somerset) alongside the services provided by Somerset County Council.
Somerset Council combines the strengths of the five authorities and provides a single clear voice for Somerset nationally and internationally. It gives clearer public accountability for services in the county and simpler access to them.