HE future of crisis-torn West Somerset Council became even more uncertain this week after a dramatic turn of events brought in Sedgemoor as a surprise runner in a possible new three-council partnership.

On Tuesday, after a heated five-hour debate, Taunton Deane Borough Council voted two-to-one in favour of a full merger with West Somerset.

But Taunton Deane leader Cllr John Williams warned that if West Somerset did not also choose that option, the councils would go their separate ways, leaving West Somerset in a precarious financial position.

Also due to make a decision on Tuesday, West Somerset Council had already postponed its key meeting until September 7 to allow members more time to consider the options.

Earlier in the week came news of a last-minute exchange of letters and emails between the two councils and Sedgemoor about the possibility of closer co-operation in a move involving local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.

But up to yesterday (Thursday) it was not clear how far negotiations had gone or what the outcome would be.

West Somerset leader Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew told the Free Press that he was still trying to clarify the situation with Sedgemoor council.

And Cllr Williams said that, while he would welcome suggestions on how the three authorities could work together, he was confident that a merger with West Somerset was the right way to go.

In a “position statement” issued this week, Sedgemoor council said it was “at a loss” to explain why it had been approached at the “11th hour and 59th minute” to explore a business case when it had been ready to help West Somerset since 2013.

The matter will be discussed by Sedgemoor District Council on August 3.