BOTH Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council this week voiced their support for crisis-hit West Somerset Council.

As reported last week, West Somerset Council could be confined to the history books unless drastic action is taken to save it from a looming financial black hole.

A hard-hitting report by the Local Government Association concluded that after 2015 the district authority would be unviable - unable to deliver services or operate as a unit of local democracy.

The LGA said the council's only hope for even the medium-term future was to do even more partnership working with neighbouring councils.

This week, a spokesman for Sedgemoor District Council said the authority was well aware of West Somerset's financial difficulties and was prepared to help out in any practical way, if requested to do so by the authority.

Sedgemoor already provides the district council with a range of expertise and services, including revenue-generating computer software and a host of housing services.

Through the Somerset West private sector housing partnership, the two councils work together on housing enforcement complaints, inspections, grants and the issue of bringing empty properties back into use.

On the flip side, West Somerset carries out enforcement work for Sedgemoor, while both West Somerset and Sedgemoor work with Taunton Deane Borough Council to provide "strategic housing services".

Sedgemoor and West Somerset already share a community safety project officer, while the Bridgwater-based council has been providing West Somerset with environmental health services for the last three months.

This includes food safety, health and safety and private water supplies, while moves are afoot to also share licensing services and for even greater integration between the two services.

A spokesman for Sedgemoor said its staff were also working in partnership with West Somerset on the provision of procurement services, on a range of cross boundary matters and on issues relating to the proposed Hinkley C nuclear power station.

Somerset County Council leader Cllr John Osman said "much work" had been done to support West Somerset in recent times.

"As a sign of our willingness to stand by West Somerset Council, I have already written to all leaders and chief executives of Somerset councils and Exmoor National Park and invited them to join together to help support West Somerset Council," he said.

"I have asked that an action plan is drafted within the next month that will clearly set out the support that could be made available to West Somerset Council by other local authorities and the steps that need to be taken to ensure its future."