FURTHER research will be needed over the coming months to establish options for the future shape of local government in Somerset.

Somerset County Council leader David Fothergill announced last May that he wanted to explore the possibility of abolishing Somerset’s six existing councils and create a unitary authority, claiming it could save £28 million a year.

Last July he said that “seven options, possibly even eight” were being considered, with all five district and borough councils being involved in the discussions.

A “delivery partner” was secured in the autumn to investigate the feasibility of these options, and Cllr Fothergill met with his counterparts recently to discuss the progress made to date.

And more than nine months on from him lighting the blue touchpaper, the public are no closer to having any options presented to them for consultation.

In a joint statement, the leaders of all six current councils said the initial findings of the report needed to be tested further to see how feasible they would be in practice.

They said: “Research will continue over the coming months to test the early findings and consider next steps.

“The options being researched are considering how services can be protected and better outcomes delivered for the communities of Somerset within the challenging financial climate for public sector organisations, and to make sure that local government and the services it provides are financially sustainable for the future.

“The research is also examining what changes might be made that strengthen the voice of the communities of Somerset.”

The councils declined to give further details on the options available, including the possible involvement of other neighbouring authorities in delivering front-line services.

A further update on the research is not expected until after the district council elections in May.