£15k allocated to look at improving Cheddar Gorge road for walking and cycling, and therefore deter antisocial driving

Sedgemoor District Council has allocated £15,000 in its latest budget, to look at ways of improving the road through Cheddar Gorge for walkers and cyclists, and therefore deter antisocial driving.

The funds will be used for a study into "active travel" to help the council look for long-term solutions to the antisocial issues in Cheddar Gorge, which the council says is essential to recovery and building back better.

Despite dealing with the Covid pandemic, with an estimated £4 million financial impact in the current year on Sedgemoor's finances, coupled with the fact that nearly all staff have been working from home for 11 months of the year, Sedgemoor District Council says it has set a balanced budget with no cuts to public services for the coming financial year.

The emphasis over the past year has been on supporting residents and businesses throughout the coronavirus crisis while delivering frontline services and taking opportunities to kick-start economic recovery.

Additionally, there is a firm commitment to press ahead with plans to invest £1 million of growth into the local economy as well as spending in priority services – all set in the context of a future stable five-year financial position.

Other measures announced in the budget were:

• An additional £180,000 grant to Citizens Advice, to help them continue their vital work in supporting residents.
• £250,000 for the approved the Climate Emergency Strategy and its Action Plan, setting a pathway for the council to meet its declared target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. A number of projects are being developed such as electric bike fleet, extra pool car, extra charging points, a tree officer, water refill units and public electric vehicle charging.
• Further support for graduate and apprenticeship schemes of £400,000. Over the past five years, Sedgemoor has helped 36 apprentices and five graduates to start their careers. This money will help a further 12 apprentices.
• Additional monies of £84,000 investing in the council's IT infrastructure to help home working for staff.
• £30,000 a year towards Spark – the infrastructure organisation for the voluntary community and social enterprise sector. Spark has played a pivotal role in the Covid crisis, supporting local community groups to support the community, they created Covid helpers, supporting volunteering, and been a source of information and guidance to the volunteer organisations.
• A specialist economic development officer to help business recovery across the district.

At the meeting of Sedgemoor's Full Council yesterday (February 22) members voted to approve the council tax and housing rents for 2021/2022 with an increase in the district council tax of £5 per year on a Band D.

Councillor Duncan McGinty, leader of Sedgemoor District Council said: "This has been an extremely difficult year with the impact of the Covid pandemic and its financial implications, not just on this council, but on the wider economy.

"I would just like to pay tribute to the staff and members, who not only have risen to the Covid occasion and provided help, support, advice and sometimes a shoulder to cry on, but have continued to do the day-to-day work that keeps the council delivering for its residents and businesses.

"The figures presented include the estimated cost of Covid and these have been funded by government grants and use of specific reserves.

"This council has continued its strategy of a managed use of balances and specific regard has been given to the need to deliver a balanced medium-term budget, which is robust and will achieve our commitments.

"It should be noted that a countywide 2,000-strong, survey carried out in winter 2020 by Ipsos Mori, one of the world's leading research companies, showed that 67 per cent residents are currently satisfied with public services provided by district councils.

"Additionally, in 2019 65 per cent of Sedgemoor residents said that they were extremely satisfied with our services."

The council tax will see an average Band D property pay £172.32 this year for district council services. This includes £1.80 that is raised on behalf of the Somerset Rivers Authority each year.

It goes directly to the Somerset Rivers Authority and enables it to implement and fund the 20-year flood action plan for the county. An additional £40.85 goes to the Internal Drainage Boards to help with their work.

This leaves the actual amount that Sedgemoor retain for spending on its services at £131.47 per Band D property.

Sedgemoor's element of the council tax will be increased by 3.02 per cent - an additional £5 per year on a Band D property, that is 9.6p per week.

Sedgemoor is still in the top 25 per cent of councils for the lowest Band D tax and the lowest in Somerset if drainage board levies are excluded.