CASH-strapped West Somerset Council is reeling under a triple blow to its finances as three vital sources of funding have been slashed in its budget for the coming year, it was revealed at today’s (Thursday) scrutiny committee meeting.

The council has drawn up stringent savings proposals but these will not be enough to cover the budget gap.

As a result, money will need to be taken from reserves to deliver a balanced 2017-18 budget.

Members will be asked to increase the average Band D Council Tax by £5 a year and use £581,000 of the council’s reserves to prop up the delivery of essential services.

If approved, the district council’s portion of Council Tax on a Band D property will increase to £152.32 a year – £150.56 for council services and a £1.76 contribution to Somerset Rivers Authority flood protection work.

Total bills also include levies for Somerset County Council, town or parish councils and the police.

Committee members heard that the outlook for 2018-19 was even bleaker, with a forecast budget gap of more than £800,000.

“This coming year we are facing substantial reductions in our core funding, while the year after looks extremely difficult,” said council leader Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew.

“West Somerset is simply too small in terms of population in a very large geographic area to remain viable. The facts speak for themselves.”

He said that West Somerset’s plight stemmed from the fact that rural areas were treated unfairly.

“More is spent per person in urban areas and this affects everything from schools to hospitals,” he said.

“There is real deprivation in the countryside but, because of the widespread area, it is often hidden.

“Over 70 per cent of West Somerset is protected landscape which leaves us with very little space to build new homes or do other development.

“Contrary to what some people think, Hinkley C will not bring untold gold to West Somerset Council.

“It won’t come on-stream until 2025 at the earliest and there is no clear picture about what will happen to the rates revenue.

“There are even rumours that it might be taken by central government and distributed nationally.”