Somerset Council's Full Council met on 25 September 2025, and members voted to endorse a review of the council's scrutiny functions, adopt the Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update, and use Housing Revenue Account (HRA) reserves to purchase additional council housing stock. The council also approved a Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Deficit Management Plan (DMP) to address a significant budget shortfall.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Deficit Management Plan (DMP)

The council approved recommendations for an updated Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Deficit Management Plan (DMP) to address a projected £294.6 million deficit by 2029/30. The recommendations included incorporating the revised DSG budget and DMP into the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2025/26 to 2029/30, and allocating additional General Fund base budget investment to deliver the proposed DMP workstreams.

The report noted that the cumulative deficit stood at £61.992m on 31 March 2025 and is projected to increase significantly, presenting a significant strategic financial risk to the council's sustainability. The DMP includes a range of actions, some of which require additional investment. The plan aims to bring the annual DSG budget into financial balance by 2028/29 and reduce the cumulative deficit to £106.777m by 2029/30.

The council also noted that the government has implemented a statutory override of standard accounting practices, preventing local authorities from needing to fund the DSG deficit from their other general fund resources until 31 March 2028.

Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update

The council voted to adopt the Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update, including main modifications, following the recommendations of the Inspector’s examination report. This decision fulfils a requirement specified in a High Court Order and makes the Limited Update formally part of the Development Plans covering Somerset.

The Limited Update identifies nine housing sites capable of delivering 569 dwellings by the end of the Mendip Local Plan period in 2029. According to the Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update Adoption report, a total of 162 housing sites in the Mendip district area were assessed and subject to sustainability appraisal to inform preferred sites.

Scrutiny Function Review

The council endorsed the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Function Review, which was conducted to improve the effectiveness of the council's scrutiny committees. The recommendations, detailed in the Scrutiny Function Review Final Report and Recommendations, include developing a shared vision for scrutiny, providing training for councillors and officers, streamlining the committee structure, and enhancing the work planning process.

The council also agreed to delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic and Governance Services to undertake the necessary work for changes to the council’s constitution and finalise a resource plan to deliver the review’s recommendations.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Reserves

The council approved an increase of £3.377m in the HRA capital programme for property acquisitions, legal and associated purchase costs, and any appropriate refurbishments or alterations, to be funded by HRA Reserves. These properties will be added to HRA stock but used temporarily (up to 2 years) for temporary accommodation purposes.

Motions

The council considered two motions:

• Provision of housing: Proposed by Councillor Habib Farbahi and seconded by Councillor Henry Hobhouse, this motion called on the council to write to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support the delivery of 1.5 million new homes by 2030, by providing Somerset Council with sufficient funding to enable the building of at least 1,000 new affordable homes per year. The council resolved to support the motion.
• Planning Service: Proposed by Councillor John Cook-Woodman and seconded by Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, this motion was referred to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee for Climate and Place.

Public Questions

Several members of the public submitted questions to the council.

Lawrence Bennett asked the council to move forward with plans for a memorial to the Portishead Radio Station, a former maritime radio station based in Highbridge. Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing Revenue Account, Culture and Equality and Diversity, responded.

Paul Partington asked a series of questions about the Highways Act 1980 and public rights of way. Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services, responded.

Simon Baker asked about the backlog of planning approvals and the five-year land supply. Councillor Mike Rigby, Lead Member for Planning, Economic Development and Assets, responded.

Ruthven Burdon-Cooper asked about the decision to rebuild Stawley Primary School with only two classrooms. Councillor Heather Shearer, Lead Member for Children, Families and Education, responded.

Andrew Knight asked about Somerset Council's Gypsy Traveller Pitch Strategy. Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts responded.

Jim Dowling asked about the Tytherington Copse case. Councillor Mike Rigby responded.

Member Questions

Councillor Habib Farbahi asked about the steps Somerset Council was taking to prevent any further escalation of tensions following attacks on the Mosque in Taunton and the Portuguese Church in Bridgwater. Councillor Bill Revans, Leader of the Council, responded.

Councillor Barry Clarke asked about the planning service. Councillor Mike Rigby responded.

Councillor Diogo Rodrigues asked about the Celebration Mile roadworks in Bridgwater. Councillor Mike Rigby responded.

Councillor Dawn Denton asked for a full breakdown of all consultant and agency staff expenditure approved and incurred since May 2022. Councillor Theo Butt Philip, Lead Member for Transformation, Human Resources and Localities, responded.

Councillor Peter Clayton asked about traveller incursions. Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts responded.

Councillor Susannah Hart asked whether any further payments have been made by Somerset Council to either The Red Brick Building Center Ltd or its subsidiary Beckery Construction Company Ltd. Councillor Mike Rigby responded.

Other Items

The council also:

• Approved the nomination from the Liberal Democrat political group leader to appoint Councillor Ros Wyke as the Chair of Planning East Committee and Councillor Tony Robbins as the Vice Chair of Planning East Committee.
• Received and noted the Annual Report of the Scrutiny Committee for Children and Families.
• Noted a summary of key decisions taken since the last Full Council meeting.