CONSERVATIVES CONGRATULATE MP FOR DEBATING SOMERSET FUNDING SHORTFALL IN PARLIAMENT (01/11/04)

Conservative members of Somerset County Council were delighted that Adrian Flook (Taunton's MP) secured a debate in Parliament on Wednesday about the shortfall in funding from central government. Bob Little, Conservative Finance Spokesman on the County Council, said "We congratulate Mr Flook on his initiative in securing the debate and for pressing Somerset's case. The case is based on the fact that funding for local government is tied to data from the 1991 census rather than that of 2001. Because Somerset's population has changed, in number and type, in this time, the County Council estimates that it ought to receive up to £3.8million per year more than it does.”

Bob Little continued "Whilst this shortfall is not the only reason why Council Tax is so high in Somerset, it certainly has an impact, which is why we are grateful to our Somerset MPs for their support. We will continue to monitor the situation on behalf of all Council Tax payers in Somerset."