Taxpayers in the Burnham-On-Sea area will face at least a £50 rise in council tax after the Conservative-led county council agreed its budget this week.
The tax increase of 3.99% across Somerset is to include a 2% rise to pay for adult social care after a reduction in central government funding.
The council says its budget is balanced, although critics claim the proposals lacks detail on exactly where the cuts will fall and will put staff and services at threat.
Council Leader John Osman defended the budget, saying: “As we move forward the financial picture will get worse before it gets better. It’s not until around about 2020 that the financial status of the council will improve, according to what the government has told us so far.”
He claimed that the cuts would not affect frontline services.
Jane Lock, Leader of the Liberal Democrat County Group, said: “It’s a disgrace that the Conservatives will not give councillors and residents any information about the cuts coming on 1st April, yet they are happy to increase council tax yet again.”
