Somerset County Council announces cut backs

1,500 jobs are at risk over the next three years at Somerset County Council and building projects have been axed as part of the cutbacks announced by Council Leader Ken Maddock at a press conference this morning.

Cllr Maddock said these were wholly exceptional times and the national picture was very bleak but that Somerset was worse off because the £350million debt was projected to become £400million before it will start coming down,he commented : "It is time to shut up shop on borrowing."

He said change was essential, and he was bringing a new approach to the problem. Also that this was not what he became a councillor to do and he had not caused the problem but it was his responsibility to solve it.

The government cuts are anticipated to cause the County Council a gap of £75million between its income and expenditure in the next few years.

As a result the council has to become smaller and leaner and despite the 1,000 voluntary redundancies, and the recruitment freeze already in place, they are calling for a further 500 jobs( outside of schools) to go over the next three years.

In addition all major building projects will be halted, this means the proposed pedestrianisation of Taunton town centre will not

happen. They decided yesterday not to go ahead with the experimental scheme for North Street only, saving £120,000 from this year's budget.

The County Farms review is still ongoing, aside from three that were already announced in July; one being given another five year tenancy and the other two which were under threat of eviction in March 2011  have been given an extra year before being sold.

 Cllr Maddock said the clear recommendation is for 40 of the remaining 60 to be sold and talks are ongoing with larger farming concerns such as the Crown Estate.He said his personal opinion was that they would stay as farms.

He said he could not go into further detail at this point but wanted to be as open and honest as possible.

A new school for Yeovil  which was meant to combine Grass Royal,Reckleford and Pen Mill will not be built.

In addition some libraries are to have their hours cut and Bruton will close altogether.

Cllr Maddock said they are keen to talk to local community groups and charities about way to keep the library service going in another form and added that:"If anyone has better ideas how we can save this money, I would be happy to listen."

Libraries to have reduced hours will be Priorswood,Castlecary,

Minehead, Porlock,Watchet and Wincanton,effective from September 27th. This is described as a temporary situation while the whole library system is under review.

There will also major cuts in arts projects.

On the positive side the council leader said they will commit to another zero increase in council tax next year and they had already saved three quarters of a million pounds by not extending the Silk Mills Park and ride.

 He also announced a new initiative to use their properties to boost the local economy and help new business, he said they had already been able to provide premises to Snazaroo,a face an body paint specialists  at Minehead, who would otherwise have had to move out of the county.

A private company will be hired to operate around 70 industrial units offering support to new firms,including some start-up costs,business advice and mentoring: " For  the first time we will stop acting as just landlords and instead ask a private firm to run end to  end support to attract business into Somerset and importantly, to help people in Somerset with their own great ideas to turn them into  new start-up companies".

When questioned about payment for this private firm, Cllr Maddock said that would have to be performance based.