SOMERSET COUNTY COUNCIL DOING MORE FOR LESS

Residents in Somerset will welcome Somerset County Council's efforts to provide more for less in these difficult financial times.

As Somerset County Council prepares its budget for next year, it is applying savings earned through better contract negotiation to pay for better services across the Council. The County's new Highways contract provides higher service standards while delivering a saving of £5m a year, so allowing the Conservative administration to invest in other services, all while still holding to its pledge to freeze Council Tax.

Almost £1m has been set-aside to improve the library service for the benefit of Somerset residents and Somerset's highways will also benefit with £500,000 being invested in catching-up on the backlog of road repairs left behind by the Lib Dems.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Anthony Trollope-Bellew, said, "These savings show that the Conservatives at County Hall are serious in their pledge to provide more for less. This highways contract is just one way in which the Conservative administration is able to save tax-payers' money while providing better services."

Ken Maddock, Leader of Somerset County Council, added, "My Cabinet colleagues have all worked hard since we were elected last June to provide better value for money and better services for our residents, while still holding to our promise of freezing Council Tax.''