The Leader of Somerset Council has cautiously welcomed today’s news of the potential for more funding for local government, but says further action is required to fix a fundamentally broken system.

Cllr Bill Revans made the comments following today’s Autumn Budget statement.

While the full details are yet to be published, the Chancellor’s speech referenced additional funding for social care, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), homelessness and the Disabled Facilities Grant. It was also confirmed the Household Support Fund will be extended.

Cllr Revans said:

Along with other councils we have lobbied hard in the lead up to this Budget and I’m pleased the Chancellor has made reference to some of our areas of concern, however there is still a long way to go to address social care, homelessness and SEND pressures. There were no resolutions proposed to resolve the pressures and deficits in the Dedicated Schools Grant referenced.

While the proposed increase in minimum wage is welcome, it will increase costs in areas like social care contracts creating additional pressures.

There is also disappointing news for Somerset that the A358 dualling scheme between Ilminster and Taunton has now been dropped.

We await the full details with interest, but it is clear this Budget will not go far enough to fully address the financial emergency facing councils across the country.

What we really need is proper reform, with multi-year financial settlements and appropriate funding to ensure councils can meet ever-increasing demands for core services.

Having greater flexibility over funding, including fewer ringfenced grants, would allow us to put money where it is best needed for Somerset residents.