Somerset West and Taunton

Somerset West and Taunton is a local government district in Somerset, England. It was established on 1 April 2019 by the Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018.[1][2][1] The council replaced the Taunton Deane and West Somerset councils, which governed the same area from 1974.

Somerset West and Taunton
Non-metropolitan district
Logo of Somerset West and Taunton Council
Somerset West and Taunton district within the county of Somerset
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Constituent countryEngland
RegionSouth West England
Ceremonial countySomerset
Government
 • TypeNon-metropolitan district
 • MPs:Rebecca Pow (Con)
Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con)
Area
 • Total459.5 sq mi (1,190.1 km2)
Population
 (mid-2019 est.)
 • Total149,800
Time zoneUTC0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (BST)
Websitehttps://www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/

Background

In September 2016, West Somerset and Taunton Deane councils agreed in principle to merge the districts into a single one, subject to consultation.[3] The new district is not a unitary authority, with Somerset County Council still performing its functions at county level.[4] In March 2018 both councils voted in favour of the merger and it came into effect on 1 April 2019, with the first elections to the new council in May 2019.[5][6][7]

The new council was approved by James Brokenshire the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 30 May 2018.[2][8] The merger is expected to save £3.1 million each year.[9]

West Somerset covered a largely rural area, with a population of 35,300[10] in an area of 740 square kilometres (290 sq mi);[11] it is the least populous non-unitary district in England. According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics in 2009, the population of West Somerset has the oldest average age in the United Kingdom at 52.[12] The largest centres of population are the coastal towns of Minehead (population 10,000) and Watchet (4,400).

Taunton Deane was based in Taunton. The district was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, by a merger of the Municipal Borough of Taunton, Wellington Urban District, Taunton Rural District, and Wellington Rural District. Taunton Deane was granted borough status in 1975, perpetuating the mayoralty of Taunton.[13] Taunton Deane includes the town of Wellington and surrounding villages. Taunton Deane had an estimated population of 102,600 in 2001.[14]

Governance

The Conservative Party held a majority on the new council following the merger of Taunton Deane and West Somerset districts on 1 April 2019. This majority was inherited from their seat totals on the predecessor councils rather than the result of a direct election to the council. Inaugural elections to the council were held on 2 May 2019 which saw the Lib Dems gain control of the council. The current composition of the council is the following:

Party Seats
Liberal Democrat
32 / 59
 54.2%
Independent
13 / 59
 22.0%
Conservative
9 / 59
 15.3%
Labour
3 / 59
 5.1%
Green
2 / 49
 3.4%
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See also
  • 2019 structural changes to local government in England

References
  1. "The Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  2. "Somerset councils merger approved by government". BBC. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  3. West Somerset Online
  4. Your New Council
  5. "Somerset councils merger approved despite criticism". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  6. Simmons, Alice (19 March 2018). "Taunton Deane and West Somerset vote in favour of council merger". Somerset County Gazette. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  7. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (24 May 2018). "The Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  8. "Government Decision on New Council". Your New Council. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  9. "Councils 'delighted' with Somerset merger government approval". Public Sector Executive. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  10. "Statistics & Census Information". West Somerset Council. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  11. "West Somerset (Local Authority): Key Figures for Physical Environment". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
  12. "Maps chart UK's ageing population". BBC News. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  13. "About the Mayor". Taunton Deane Borough Council. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  14. "Population Summary" (PDF). Somerset County Council. Retrieved 17 February 2009.
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