PLANS for a new West Somerset and Taunton Deane council which aims to deliver at least £3.1 million of savings a year were finally submitted to the government for approval this week.

It is hoped that Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid will deliver his verdict by late summer or early autumn.

If he gives the go-ahead, the new authority could elect a shadow cabinet next year and be in operation after the 2019 elections.

West Somerset and Taunton Deane Borough Councils have operated jointly since 2013, saving £1.8 million a year on services, and last year they agreed to ask the government to create a new combined authority under the new Cities and Local Government Devolution Act.

The submission is based on a business case presented last year and on feedback received during a public consultation.

Unveiling the proposals yesterday (Wednesday), council leaders John Williams of Taunton Deane and Anthony Trollope-Bellew of West Somerset said there would be problems ahead but a new modern streamlined council was a brave and innovative solution to the challenges which needed to be faced.