A FUNDING gap caused by higher costs and lower funding could reduce North Somerset Council services to their bare essentials.

The council launched a petition, asking the government to do more and secure a fairer deal for North Somerset.

The funding gap puts the authority at risk of serving a Section 114 notice, which would likely see national government step in and reduce council services to their bare essentials.

The council said year-on-year cuts to council budgets and a steady increase in service demand mean many councils across the country are facing a financial emergency.

In North Somerset, these increases in demand - coupled with higher costs and lower funding - have created a situation where delivering much valued services could come to £24m more than council has available by March 2025.

This financial challenge has been further complicated by the way the Government allocates councils’ funding and lower than average council tax rates – with North Somerset receiving £50m less than other local areas.

In October the Treasury recognised the challenge facing councils, announcing £1.3bn of extra funding for local government in their autumn budget statement.

However, the Local Government Association report a combined funding gap of £2.3bn for councils across the country, meaning the £1.3bn will not resolve the financial emergency.

In December, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will set out details of the Local Government Finance Settlement.

This will tell the council how this funding will be shared between councils and their services for 2025/26.

In response, North Somerset Council have launched a campaign for a fairer deal - a deal that allows the council to protect the services that local communities value.

As well as urging the government to do more, North Somerset have started a petition where residents can lend their voice and the support calls for a fairer deal.

The petition will be presented to the government in December.

Councillor Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “We’re doing all that we can to push the government to look at council funding and break away from years of budgets cuts.

“This could be a sea change moment, vital in finding solutions that will help us and other councils rise to the challenge of our financial emergency.

“We’re calling on you to s¬ign our petition and pledge your support, asking for a fairer deal that can protect services for our communities, helping keep North Somerset a great place to live, work and visit. “Our petition – boosted by your signature - will be enclosed with a letter to government where we’ll set out why North Somerset needs a fairer deal and how the government can step up and help us avoid a Section 114.

“There’s strength in numbers and every signature counts – I’d like to thank everyone who does their bit and raises their voice for the benefit of local services and local communities.

“Our three local MPs have been very supportive of our case, and we will continue to work with them to take our message to government.”

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, deputy leader of the Council, added: “The £1.3bn already committed in the autumn budget statement shows that the government are listening and trying to help – which is why now is a key time to stand up and add your voice “We’re working hard to balance our books, but we do need more long-term funding and flexibilities to protect the local services that local people rely upon.”

To read more about the fair deal petition, as well as the council’s financial challenge, visit https://n-somerset.gov.uk/fairdeal