BURNHAM and Highbridge Town Council has launched a precept consultation amid Somerset Council's financial emergency.

Somerset Council is being forced into difficult decisions about the future of the services it offers as it faces significant financial challenges.

The unitary authority has cited the increasing cost of running social care services, Covid, the war in Ukraine and high inflation for its precarious position.

Council leader Bill Revans has called for the government to fix its “broken” funding model for social care to protect local authorities.

Consequently, the town council is contemplating assuming responsibility for some services.

For the town council to be able fund any additional service, it will have to significantly increase its budget and precept request.

This will increase residents' council tax payments.

In order to better understand the residents' needs and priorities, the town council has requested their participation in a consultation.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: Somerset Council is being forced into difficult decisions about the future of the services it

It has already held two consultation sessions at The Morland Hub on December 12, and at The Princess Theatre in Burnham on December 13.

Residents who were unable to attend these sessions can still send their insights through an online form available until midday on December 19.

Somerset Council declared a financial emergency on November 8.

It is facing an in-year overspend of £19 million, with a budget gap of £87 million projected for 2024-25.

Unless solutions are found quickly, Somerset could join the ranks of Birmingham and Woking councils, issuing a section 114 notice, meaning bankruptcy.