CONTROVERSIAL merger talks between Taunton Deane and West Somerset Councils have taken another twist - after a last-ditch attempt to involve Sedgemoor District Council in a possible union.
Taunton Deane Council is due to vote on whether to opt for a merger with West Somerset Council next Tuesday, but council leaders John Williams and Anthony Trollope-Bellew say there is still time for Sedgemoor for get involved.
The shock news follows a war of words over the past week between the council leaders, Taunton Deane Liberal Democrats and Bridgwater and West Somerset MP, Ian Liddle-Grainger.
Taunton Deane and West Somerset are currently looking at options for the future of their partnership working – in place for the past three years – and how to deliver further savings that can be directed to front-line services.
They say earlier this year, they approached Sedgemoor to see if the authority would be interested in joining as work began on preparing a business case looking at future ways of working.
Now the business case is published with firm proposals, the invitation is again being extended to see if a three-way partnership could bring real benefits to their combined communities.
In their letter, also signed by the two councils’ chief executive Penny James, the leaders say that bringing in a new partner could only have a positive impact.
West Somerset has deferred its considerations until early September to allow extra time for its members to be fully briefed, starting with an informal meeting on Tuesday.
This would give Sedgemoor time to secure a mandate from its councillors to become a full partner in the business case.
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The leaders said: “We are determined to leave no stone unturned to deliver the best possible services to our communities. This is our priority.
"But time is of the essence. By bringing another district council on board, we could become even more efficient and resilient.
"Our ambition is for the everyday services people rely on to both survive and thrive.”
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