Adam Dance responds to the Somerset Council's Financial Crisis affecting local services

"Somerset Council is now being forced to consider previously unthinkable financial cutbacks to try and balance the budget for 2024/25. This is the result of the lack of adequate funding to local authorities, particularly resulting from the reduction in proportion of funds received from central Government. 

"In particular, I am concerned by the removal of funding for Yeovil For Families, where I am working with the Gateway to ensure all other sources of funding are being explored.  

"Similarly Mudford Recreational Area could be forced to close down to save money. This heart-breaking proposal might leave only the café, tennis courts, MUGA (multi-use games area) and playground accessible to the public. But given tremendous local concern we must find ways to keep this facility operating. 

"I am determined to do as much as I possibly can to mitigate the effects of the cuts.  I have not been in politics for thirteen years to see services reduced in this way.  I want to do what is right for our local communities and to make sure that much-valued organisations like the Mudford Recreational Area and Yeovil for Families are maintained.

"I will leave no stone unturned in helping find alternative sources of support for those local organisations and services which are under threat.    

"I will continue to fight for those of us living in South Somerset but as a responsible Liberal Democrat-led authority we need to deliver a balanced budget not just for this year but for the years to come."

The Liberal Democrats are working together to save Somerset Council from bankruptcy by taking decisive action towards a balanced, realistic and future-proofed budget for the County.