Article / Leaflet for
town and parish council newsletters:
Change is coming to Somerset that affects you
Change is coming to Somerset that
affects everyone, both the services they receive and their quality of life.
It will affect the vibrancy of
our towns and villages, the strength of our economy, opportunities for our
young people, the quality of care for our children and older people, how
successful we are in tackling Climate Change, and much more besides.
If the right decisions are made,
Somerset’s future could be really bright. However, if the wrong decision is
made it could mean that the county’s prospects are damaged for decades.
The Secretary of State for Local Government
has confirmed that Westminster is moving ahead with a consultation on major
change for local government in Somerset and it is important that your views are
heard.
There is now a clear choice:
o a single council for Somerset, distant from its people
and operating in a very traditional way, focussed on cutting costs
o Stronger Somerset - two councils for Somerset, close to
the people they serve, operating in a modern and efficient way, focussed on
investing in better services as well as driving forward the economy, tackling
the climate emergency and improving quality of life
The four district councils in
Somerset are committed to working together to deliver Stronger Somerset and
ensure the best future for residents and businesses in Somerset. Stronger
Somerset will ensure:
•
Every child
starts well - currently
25% of children in Somerset live in poverty and more communities are
experiencing deprivation
•
Every young
person believes they can live well –
many young adults leave the county to find opportunities elsewhere
•
Our older
population ages well – there is a
growing older population and we will ensure they are supported to live happy,
healthy, independent lives
•
Our economy
levels up and contributes nationally – we
need to close the productivity gap and improves skills, wages and opportunities
for green growth that everyone can benefit from as well as ensuring that our
residents have a decent and affordable home.
•
Our
transition to net zero carbon –
reducing the effects of Somerset on climate change and protecting our
communities from the effects of climate change such as flooding
We will achieve this by:
· Strengthening
relationships with local communities –
ensuring councils that are close to the people they serve
· Stronger
communities with greater power – give
more control to local people over the things that matter to them
· A fresh start
in Care - Transformation of Children’s
and Adults Social Care adopting the best of what works elsewhere
· Two new
councils for Somerset, to replace
the four districts and the county council – ensuring people and communities are
well represented in our large county
· A Somerset
West Council and a Somerset East Council will
ensure a focus on the differing challenges, community identities and economic
areas that exist in what is a large count; but which work together for the
benefit of all of Somerset
· Modern
economy with new skills, higher wages to
“level-up” society and ensuring housing genuinely affordable for local people
· Devolution of
powers and resources from Westminster –
ensuring Somerset makes decisions for our economy and communities and can Level
Up in Somerset, drive our economy forward and improve quality of life
Somerset deserves the best form
of local government, not the cheapest and only Stronger Somerset will deliver
this. The Stronger Somerset proposal is for a fresh start for local government
in the county that will ensure better services, an improved economy and better
quality of life.
If we are to get that, we need your
support – the residents and businesses of Somerset.
Over the next few weeks, residents,
communities, businesses and stakeholders from across the county are being
invited to join a number of major online events to help inform and shape the
county’s future. The result of these events will shape the final Stronger
Somerset Proposals to be submitted to the government.
Details on the sessions will be
released soon. In the meantime, to have your say, show your support, and get
involved please visit strongersomerset.co.uk or follow us on social media.
Major change is coming that affects you. Have your say.