A MERGER of Taunton Deane and West Somerset will not include Sedgemoor after the district council today voted unanimously against the proposed plans.

Sedgemoor council has this evening issued a statement about the merger, which they were invited to join on July 22.

This was just four days before Taunton Deane Council voted in favour of a full merger. West Somerset council have deferred the decision until September.

The Sedgemoor council statement said: “Members of Sedgemoor District Council discussed the invitation from Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council to join in their current discussions about merging and the three options that face the two councils.

“Sedgemoor do not wish to be to a last minute bolt-on to any pre-written, worked-up business plan and await the decision from West Somerset Council, due to be taken in early September.

“Sedgemoor always remain open to a fresh approach, which includes all three councils on a level playing field from a new starting point.

“Sedgemoor District Council unanimously agreed that their preferred way forward would be to refer the issue to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.”

West Somerset Council vote on the merger on September 7, but TDBC leader Cllr John Williams said last week that unless WSDC also opts for the merger, the councils will go their separate ways.

This could leave West Somerset's cash-strapped council with a highly uncertain future.

This afternoon, prior to the Sedgemoor District full council meeting, the three council leaders John Williams (Taunton Deane), Anthony Trollope-Bellew (West Somerset) and Duncan McGinty (Sedgemoor) met to discuss the plans.

“There is an open invitation to Sedgemoor – as there always has been – to contribute to the Taunton Deane and West Somerset partnership in the interests of local government – and, most importantly, our communities - in Somerset,” said Cllr Trollope-Bellew.

Taunton Deane and West Somerset have been partners, with a single officer team, since 2013 and the initiative has delivered £1.8 million in savings annually shared proportionately between the two authorities for investment in community services.

Cllr Williams said: “It was a constructive meeting and good that all three Leaders agreed that the approval process now in place should run its course.”

West Somerset Council is due to meet on September 7 to discuss the business case and decide on the path its members wish to follow.

Cllr Williams added: “After this the door remains open to Sedgemoor to join discussions as to how best they may enter negotiations, so forming a much wider partnership with resulting economies of scale.”