Top 4 Star Rating for the Second Year Running!

Written by Cllr. Gloria Cawood on Thu 5th Mar 2009

It is great news that Somerset County Council (SCC) has retained its four stars and continues to improve strongly. The auditors say it is still one of the best councils in the country. Compared to others, the Council Tax is low and the services are excellent. Somerset has the highest rating in the country for Value for Money.

When first judged in 2002, SCC was judged to be fair. The Liberal Democrat Council was not content with this - and worked to improve further. Now, not once, but twice, they have gained the highest accolade for services to people.

Sadly Mendip District Council under the Conservatives, became a weak council in 2004. They had inherited from the Lib Dems a debt-free council, strong balances and a reputation as one of the best housing authorities in the south-west.

But now, Mendip is in melt down. The Conservatives have spent the capital. So uncertain are they about the income they can raise through their astronomically high stealth taxes, that they have to keep the balances high and make devastating cuts in jobs and services. And now, they are one of the poorest housing authorities. No wonder MDC's value for money score is rock bottom.

In June, the people of our area will be able to have their say on who runs Somerset. The former leader of Mendip is now the leader of the Somerset County Conservatives. The Conservatives have ruined Mendip and must not be given the chance to do the same here.

Yours faithfully,

Gloria Cawood

Somerset County and Mendip District Councillor (Lib Dem)