I
was surprised to read in the Chard and
Ilminster News (“Somerset receives less funding for services than most
other counties in England”, November 20) that out of 37 county areas in England
Somerset ranked fifth from bottom as regards Council funding received. Furthermore, Somerset receives, at £540 per
head, the least of all amongst the counties of the South West.
The County
Councils Network have published figures which show that on average county
councils received £650 per head for spending on the services they provide while
a city or metropolitan borough receives £825 and inner London a whopping £1,190
per person.
In such
circumstances it is a pity that Somerset County Council no longer exists within
its traditional county boundary. Perhaps
it is time for North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset to be reunited
with the rest of the County in order to give it more political and financial
clout.
It seems
that Somerset’s financial position in England mirrors that of England within
the United Kingdom. In a recent blogpost
Robin Tilbrook, Chairman of the English Democrats, informed us that British
Government public spending, as a consequence of the Barnett Formula, is as
follows: Northern Ireland receives most at £14,263 per head; Scotland a lavish £13,054;
Wales an ample £12,531 while England receives only £11,297.
We may live in a United Kingdom, but it seems
all the nations within it are far from being treated equally!
Here is a
link to Robin Tilbrook’s blogpost:
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