SOMERSET’S MPs are being asked to help to ensure the success of the Hinkley C project and that the county receives its fair share of Government funding.

Somerset County Council has set out a manifesto for what it wants Westminster to help deliver during this parliament.

Council leader Cllr John Osman has already been outlining the items on the authority’s ‘What Somerset Wants’ list with local MPs, and said it was important they had a clear understanding of what the county council wanted help withto deliver.

“It is vitally important that Somerset gets a fair deal from central Government and our MPs will be a crucial part of that,” he said.

“I am keen to work with them and with Westminster to make progress in some key areas and it is essential that we speak as one in best interests of Somerset.”

The key items on the ‘What Somerset Wants’ manifesto include:

l Fairer funding – a review of the local authority funding formula so that it better recognises the underfunding of rural counties (Somerset is ranked 113 out of 152 top tier authorities in terms of funding per person).

l Fairer funding for schools – a better deal for Somerset’s pupils under the Designated School Grant (Somerset is currently ranked 121 out of 151 local authorities).

l Delivery of the dualling and improvements to the A303 and A358 – key to economic growth in the South West as a whole.

l Devolution – of more decision-making powers to the local level.

l Progress on the Hinkley Point C development – with the associated investment and jobs for the county.

l A long-term funding solution for the Somerset Rivers Authority – interim funding has been granted until the end of March 2016.

l Superfast broadband – funding to the Connecting Devon and Somerset project to bring broadband to 100 per cent of communities.

Cllr Osman added: “We have long been campaigning for fairer funding and that continues – I would urge everyone to sign our online petition on the subject http://fairerfundingforsomerset.org.

“But there are other key pieces of the Somerset jigsaw that need to be in place if the county is to continue to prosper.

“They need the support of central Government to really move forwards and I am determined to do everything I can to get that support.”