SIR — I read with interest the letter from Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, leader of West Somerset Council, and Cllr John Williams, leader of Taunton Deane in the Free Press last week.

I must point out that there are two different situations in play here. The fact is that Cllr Williams and Taunton Deane Borough Council are in the most fearful financial mess with problems of their own making whilst the challenges that we have in West Somerset are not self-inflicted.  The two councils are, therefore, totally different.

The reason that this request for a Judicial Review into the proposal to create a single new council for Taunton Deane and West Somerset has been lodged is not to challenge West Somerset Council but to challenge Taunton Deane. 

Taunton Deane has not consulted at all on the decision whereas here in West Somerset councillors only agreed to support the principle of a merger.

That means that right now West Somerset is a sovereign council; it is not being taken over or run by anyone else. There is a working agreement, but nothing more.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the Minister of State for Local Government have made it quite clear that they want consultation and co-operation with surrounding councils to ensure that the best deal for the taxpayers of West Somerset is reached and upheld.

At the moment this is not happening with any great urgency and I can understand why people in Taunton Deane are so angry that their council is now trying to avoid its own financial difficulties by using the people of West Somerset as scapegoats. The danger is that we could end up paying for Taunton’s costly errors.

I am in regular contact with the Government on this matter and will continue to defend the rights of my constituents and the 35,000 people who live in West Somerset.