Somerset’s leaders are divided about the best way to govern their county in the years ahead.

Somerset County Council and the four district councils have been working together since May 2018 to find a way to fund public services most effectively in the future.

But nearly two years on, the county and the districts are split on what the best option would be.

The four district councils – Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip, Sedgemoor and South Somerset – all favour maintaining the current two-tier system but working much closely together, sharing staff and resources.

But the county council is still broadly in favour of a single unitary authority to govern the whole county.

Now, the FOLGIS report - which stands for Future of Local Government in Somerset – has been published and the various councils have set out their preferred options. See what they have to say in this week’s Free Press (January 17).