Lib Dem Candidate Pelé will challenge Labour Waste at Bridgwater Town Council
As we previously reported in January, the town council in Bridgwater, held by a majority of Labour councillors voted to approve a massive increase in council tax for the financial year 2025/26.
The precept, amount demanded of the tax payers, rose by £1,227,880, that comes to a total of £4,299,101. As a result, the average council tax expected of a Band D property in Bridgwater jumps from £299.33 to £411.06, which is 37%. Now one of the highest rates in the country!
However, a neighbouring town council, Taunton, saw their tax rise by only 8.7%. Both town council's have had to take on services from Somerset Council but what warrent's Bridgwater Town Council's budget to soar? Pele, standing in the by-election for Bower (Fairfax East Ward) in Bridgwater provided an insight:
So why the difference?
A look through Bridgwater Town Council's accounts shows:
- They are spending £8,200 on a druid banner found in the Labour Party offices
- Funding a "Warm Space Hub" at the Town Hall when there are two others within 500 yards at St Mary's Church and Bridgwater Library
- Over a £100,000 spent on subsidising the Arts Centre
- £20,000 spent on "allotment security"
- And even £3,000 spent on a new coffee machine!
14 years of Conservative cuts to local government funding and Labour's failure to tackle the cost of Social Care nationally is leading to Somerset Council's ongoing financial emergency.
Local Liberal Democrat Pelé Barnes will challenge Labour waste at Bridgwater Town Council & work closely with Somerset Council.
