Claire Sully – Local Councillor Update for November

By Cllr Claire Sully | November 2, 2026 |


News, decisions and dates from across Somerset Council, for sharing with your communities.

My roles:
[Attendance: 100%]
Elected Councillor for Mendip South, (Lib Dem), since May 2022.
Somerset Council Executive: Associate Lead Member for Community Resilience
Political: Chair of the Somerset Council Liberal Democrat Group.

Committees:
Full Council — budget, policy, constitution
Planning Committee – East (quasi-judicial, predetermination rules apply)
Harbour Management Advisory Committee
Flood Resilience Advisory Group
Outside body: Somerset Rivers Authority Board

Wessex devolution: £460 million for the West Country, decided in the West Country

The Chancellor’s Budget statement has confirmed the Government’s support for devolution in Wessex, covering Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. In a joint statement, the four council leaders, Cllr Bill Revans (Somerset), Cllr Millie Earl (BCP), Cllr Nick Ireland (Dorset) and Cllr Ian Thorn (Wiltshire), welcomed it as a vote of confidence in the region, saying Wessex is ready, has done the groundwork, and will keep working with the Government towards an agreement.

Somerset Council Leader Cllr Bill Revans said: “Wessex Regional devolution comes with £460 million of central government funding over 30 years into the region that would otherwise go elsewhere in the country.”

Growing the local economy: the investment is estimated to grow the regional economy by £16 billion over that period, with growth focused where the region has a competitive strength: defence, agriculture and food, clean energy, high value manufacturing, and the hospitality and creative sectors.

Decisions made here, not in Westminster: investment will go into transport infrastructure and public transport, skills and education for young people, and the right homes in the right places for local people. The South West Peninsula will also have a stronger voice nationally, with WECA, Wessex, Devon and Cornwall all represented, so decisions are no longer dominated by the South East, the Midlands and the North.

Why the Council has backed it: some residents have asked why this is moving forward without a local vote. For the Council, the investment is the deciding factor. This is new money for our region, and without devolution it would be spent elsewhere in the country. Cllr Revans has described it as a game changer for the West Country.

More information: Council news release

£100 Household Energy Payment for Council Tax bands A to D in January 2027

The Government has announced that households in Council Tax bands A to D will receive a new £100 Household Energy Payment in January 2027.

You don’t need to contact Somerset Council about the payment at this time. If you already pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit, the payment can be made automatically. If you don’t, you can sign up now to help make sure you receive the £100 as quickly as possible.

There will also be a separate discretionary scheme for residents not eligible for the £100 payment. Further details of the discretionary scheme, and arrangements for those who do not pay by Direct Debit, are not yet confirmed but will be published nearer the time.

More information: £100 Household Energy Payment: information and Direct Debit sign-up

No bus, no choice: a fair deal on transport for Mendip South villages around Shepton Mallet

Shepton Mallet is not in my division, but the rural villages of Mendip South depend on the town for health services, shops, clubs and schools. In my division I have championed road safety initiatives and pushed for lower speed limits, and I believe poor public transport into Shepton feeds all of this: with no realistic bus, people have no choice but to drive.

Most buses stop around 7pm, only one route runs on Sundays, and the last bus home to many villages leaves hours before the Urgent Treatment Centre closes at 9pm. This year I helped reverse First Bus’s cuts to the 174. I am now calling for a Bus Summit in Shepton Mallet, a formal Council response to the Town Council’s Shepton Mallet on the Move report, and evening and Sunday buses in the 2027/28 transport plan.

Without more accessible buses, our young people, the most vulnerable, older people and working families who need to get their children to school don’t have the choices they need.

Read more: clairesully.com/no-bus-no-choice-why-shepton-mallet-needs-a-fair-deal-on-transport/

Baltonsborough parents demand answers over loss of headteacher

I attended an extraordinary meeting at Baltonsborough village hall, where parents questioned the ACE Academy Trust about losing much-loved headteacher Catherine Greenwell and a new shared leadership model, which they say they were not consulted on. The Trust committed to no staff being pressured to leave, a list of the support it has given the school, and a return visit by its CEO in November.

I have written to the Trust about communication and transparency, shared my concerns with Sarah Dyke MP, and offered to chair future discussions between parents, the school and the Trust.

Read more: clairesully.com/school-parents-plan-protests-and-demand-answers-as-they-lose-a-much-loved-headteacher/


Climate resilience starts on our own doorstep

About 70 people came to The Pilton Stage for a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing, and I joined the panel afterwards with Somerset Wildlife Trust. Resilience is built locally, before an emergency. As Somerset’s Associate Lead Member for Community Resilience, I am helping all 328 parish councils prepare, and I built mycommunityresilience.org so any community can create its own action calendar.

Read more: clairesully.com/climate-resilience-starts-on-our-own-doorstep/

Joint Benefice Service and Lunch

On Sunday 1 November I attended the Joint Benefice Service at East Pennard Church, led by Rev James Sharp, Priest-in-charge of Croscombe, Ditcheat with Alhampton, East Pennard, North Wootton, Pilton and Pylle. An inspiring sermon and lunch at Pennard House brought our communities together in a wonderful setting.

Latest My Community Resilience Action Calendar now available

Version 2.2 of the My Community Resilience Action Calendar is now available at https://mycommunityresilience.org/. It gives one simple action per entry, from the government’s new Be Ready campaign and the Parish Preparedness Survey to funding deadlines, winter readiness and December trees and nature events. Any community can build its own local version.

£5.2 million to be invested in boosting Somerset’s economy

The Executive has agreed to invest £5.2 million of legacy funds from the former Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership in strategic economic development, with at least a further £1.4 million expected by October 2029. Guided by the Somerset Economic Prosperity Strategy 2025 to 2045 and advice from the Somerset Economic Growth Board, the money will back projects that build on Somerset’s strengths and support business start-up, scale-up, innovation and investment.

Useful links:
Council news release
Somerset Economic Prosperity Strategy

Helping more Somerset children in care stay closer to home

Of the 164 children currently in residential care in Somerset, 97 are placed outside the county. Proposals going to the Executive on Wednesday 4 November set out a more flexible mix of homes and support, timed with the end of the Homes and Horizons contract in November 2027.

The Council would run two short-term assessment homes for children entering care in crisis and a short-breaks home for children with disabilities, commission eight further homes from at least two providers, and bring the High Needs Fostering Service under direct council management. Partnerships with Somerset CAMHS and Horizons Therapeutic Education Trust would continue, and changes would be phased to keep stability for children in the three homes currently open.

Useful links:
Council news release
Executive papers, 4 November

£8.9 million to create more local specialist education places

The Executive has approved £8.9 million of government capital funding to create more local places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), so more children can learn closer to home, with shorter journeys and less reliance on costly independent placements out of county.

The plan includes £3.84 million for specialist inclusion bases at 11 mainstream schools, providing 104 places, including Whitstone School in Shepton Mallet and St Benedict’s Junior and St John’s Infants in Glastonbury; £2.616 million to expand The Mendip School by up to 24 places, with an option for a future satellite in Frome; £1.68 million for 42 inclusion support bases between 2027 and 2030; £400,000 for alternative provision in Frome and West Somerset; and £340,000 for accessibility adaptations such as ramps, lifts and hygiene rooms.

Useful links:
Council news release
Executive report

Private Fostering Awareness Day, Wednesday 4 November

Wednesday 4 November is national Private Fostering Awareness Day, and Somerset Council is using it to help families understand what private fostering is, when the Council must be told, and the support available. Many people don’t realise an arrangement they have is private fostering.

Private fostering is when a child under 16 (or under 18 if disabled) is cared for by someone who is not a parent or close relative for 28 days or more in a row. Close relatives include grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and step-parents. Parents and private foster carers have a legal duty to tell Somerset Council, and support is available.


Useful links: Private fostering in Somerset / Council news release

Ofsted and CQC to inspect SEND services in Somerset

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission are expected to inspect special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services in Somerset very soon. The inspection covers support for children and young people aged 0 to 25 and usually lasts around three weeks. Inspectors will look at families’ experiences, how well needs are identified, how services work together, and whether support improves outcomes. The area was last inspected in 2020. Day-to-day support carries on as normal, and the findings will be published in a report.

Useful links:
Area SEND inspections: information for families
Council news release

Council plan outlines major investment in transport infrastructure

The Executive has approved Somerset’s Local Transport Delivery Plan, setting out how more than £283 million of government funding will be used between 2026 and 2030. It covers maintaining and improving the road network, more investment in road safety schemes and public rights of way, support for bus service improvements and better access to sustainable travel. Funding bids have been submitted for the B3191 Cleeve Hill Road at Watchet, repairs at Ansford Hill, and A38 improvements including the Edithmead roundabout.

Useful links:
Local Transport Delivery Plan 2026-27 to 2029-30
Council news release

£5.87 million to help people sleeping rough into safe accommodation

Somerset Council has secured £5.87 million over three years from the Government’s new Rough Sleeping Programme: £1 million in 2026/27, £2.26 million in 2027/28 and £2.61 million in 2028/29. The funding will expand existing services and support new ones, including female-only accommodation and higher-support accommodation for people with complex needs. The programme asks councils to offer accommodation to everyone sleeping rough by Christmas.

Homelessness also includes sofa surfing, sleeping in cars and living in temporary accommodation. Anyone worried about becoming homeless can get advice from the Council, and if you see someone sleeping rough, alert StreetLink so outreach teams can help.

Useful links:
Homelessness and prevention
StreetLink
Council news release

New strategy to tackle domestic abuse

The Somerset Domestic Abuse Strategy 2026 to 2029 sets six priorities: preventing abuse and raising awareness, better understanding abuse within families, more access to safe accommodation and support, holding people who cause harm accountable, reducing inequalities in access to services, and recognising children as victims in their own right. In 2023/24, around 21,084 people aged 16 and over in Somerset experienced domestic abuse, and the Somerset Domestic Abuse Service received 2,435 referrals.

Help is available: call the Somerset Domestic Abuse helpline on 0800 69 49 999 (8am to 8pm, seven days a week), or use the online live chat. In an emergency call 999; if you cannot speak, press 55 when prompted.

Useful links:
Somerset Domestic Abuse Service
Read the strategy
Council news release

Somerset Council switches back to renewable electricity

From April 2027, the Council’s electricity will come from a Clean Renewable tariff, sourced from wind, solar and hydro generation, covering all metered and unmetered supplies in its contract. The Council moved to a standard tariff in 2024 during its financial emergency. The switch costs an extra £53,000, less than 1% of its annual electricity spend of around £6.58 million.

Cllr Liz Leyshon, Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance, said: “We know the Council needs to play its part in tackling climate change, and that includes looking carefully at where the energy we use comes from. Our financial position meant we had to make some very difficult decisions, including temporarily moving away from renewable electricity. I’m really pleased that we are now in a position to restore this commitment. From next April, the electricity we buy through this contract will be sourced from wind, solar and hydro generation. It is one part of our much wider journey towards net zero, but it is an important and positive step.”

More information: Council news release

New community fund to help nature recover: apply by 4 December

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy Community Seed Fund offers grants of up to £10,000 for projects in Somerset that help nature recover and bring clear community benefit, such as creating or restoring habitats, helping priority species, connecting wildlife areas, or surveys and feasibility studies. Parish, town and city councils, community groups, charities, CICs, schools, farmers, landowners and estates can apply. Applications close on 4 December 2026; read the guidance first, and pre-application advice is available from LNRS@somerset.gov.uk.

Useful links:
Application form and guidance
Council news release

‘Do something amazing for someone amazing’: Lord-Lieutenant launches honours campaign

The Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, is writing to town and parish councils and community organisations across the county to encourage more nominations for UK Honours. Anyone can nominate and anyone can be nominated, from a long-serving village hall volunteer to a carer supporting neighbours. Mr Saddiq said: “I am quite certain there are many unsung heroes out there who deserve to be recognised.”

More details about how to make an Honours nomination can be found on somersetlieutenancy.com or by emailing honours@somerset.gov.uk.

Useful links:
Somerset Lieutenancy
Nominate someone for an honour
Council news release

‘I’m so glad I went’: residents praise free NHS Health Checks

Residents who have had a free NHS Health Check in Somerset have praised the friendly staff, clear advice and welcoming venues, including libraries. The 20 to 30 minute check includes blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar tests, with advice based on your results. It is open to adults aged 40 to 74 who live in Somerset or are registered with a Somerset GP, are not already being treated for a vascular condition, and have not had a check in the last five years.

One resident said: “(Practitioner) was fantastic and I’m so glad I went as I found I had high cholesterol. I was going to start diet anyway but now I have a goal so will be easier to stick to.”

Another said: “Andrea, who carried out my health check, was brilliant. She was very professional but also very friendly and kind and put me at ease.” A third added: “This is an excellent service that should be given more publicity.”

Useful links:
Book a free NHS Health Check
Council news release

Somerset partnerships shortlisted for two national awards

Somerset Council and SUEZ UK have been shortlisted in two categories at the MRW National Recycling Awards 2026, Campaign of the Year: Recycling Incentive and Food Waste Initiative, for a food recycling campaign that raised food waste recycling by 7.3%, saved more than £60,000 and gathered 1,500 resident pledges. Winners are announced on 1 December.

The Council and Kier were also shortlisted for Net Zero Project of the Year at the Department for Transport Special Recognition Awards, for a low-carbon winter gritting approach that uses route-based forecasts to treat roads only where needed, cutting fuel and salt use and saving an estimated 70,867 kgCO₂e.

Useful links:
Recycling awards news release
Winter service news release

Free business support through the new Somerset Growth Hub

The new Somerset Growth Hub offers businesses of all sizes fully funded, impartial support, including one-to-one help to create a growth action plan, access to mentoring and innovation programmes, and guidance on skills, digital, new markets, net zero and finance.

More information: Somerset Growth Hub

Review recommends stronger action on self-neglect

The Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board has published a review following the deaths of three men living in severe self-neglect. It calls for clearer shared responses where there is a risk to life, better escalation when risk keeps rising, persistent relationship-based work with people reluctant to engage, and stronger professional challenge when agencies disagree.

More information: Council news release

New supported living home planned in Wellington

The former Beechtrees children’s respite home in Wellington will reopen as a supported living home for adults with learning disabilities and autism, run by not-for-profit provider Discovery on a long-term lease. Building work is underway, with opening planned for January 2027.

More information: Council news release

Huish Episcopi and Langport: have your say by 16 November

A Community Governance Review consultation asks whether to dissolve Huish Episcopi and Langport parishes and create a single new parish of Huish Episcopi and Langport, with an 11-member parish council and no separate wards. Residents, businesses and groups can respond until 16 November. Paper copies are available on request at Langport Library.

Useful links:
Take part in the consultation
Langport Library
Council news release

Somerset stood together for Hate Crime Awareness Week

Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Police and Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI) marked National Hate Crime Awareness Week from 10 to 17 October with a joint statement that hate has no place in Somerset, and County Hall was lit in colours spelling HOPE. Hate crime and incidents can be reported to the police online, on 101, or 999 in an emergency, and SARI offers free support whether or not you report to the police.

Useful links:
Report hate crime online
SARI
Joint statement

Council backs campaign to kick gambling ads out of football

Somerset Council, a member of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, is backing the ‘Protect young fans: let’s kick gambling ads out of football’ petition, which calls on the Government to remove gambling advertising and sponsorship from football. Portfolio Exec Lead Member Cllr Evie Potts-Jones and Director of Public Health Alison Bell have signed.

More information: Sign the petition

Thousands of students learn how to safely stand up for others

More than 14,000 students at schools and colleges across Somerset have taken part in Active Bystander assemblies, a campaign shaped by Somerset Youth Parliament members from Haygrove School and delivered by Collaborate Digital through the Violence Reduction Partnership, funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

More information: Council news release

School places for September 2027: next deadline 15 January

The deadline for secondary and upper school applications was 31 October. Families of children starting school, or transferring to a junior or middle school, in September 2027 must apply by 15 January 2027 for the best chance of a place at a preferred school.

More information: Applying for school

Winter at your library: coat exchange

The free winter coat exchange is back for its fourth year at 16 Somerset libraries, including Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury and Street. Take a coat, donate a clean, good-quality coat, or both, for adults and children; donations are handed to library staff.

Useful links:
Winter coat exchange

Coastal challenge walk sets new records

Thirty walkers covered a combined 820 miles on the third 80 Miles in 8 Days Challenge Walk along the King Charles III England Coast Path, from County Gate to Brean Down, starting on 19 September. Andrew Taylor became the first to complete all 80 miles in eight consecutive days. Planning for the 2027 challenge is under way.

More information: Somerset coast walking

New Deputy Lieutenants appointed

Four new Deputy Lieutenants have been appointed to support the Lord-Lieutenant: Professor Georgina Andrews, Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University; Professor Trudi Grant, former Director of Public Health for Somerset; Lord Mark Sedwill GCMG, former Cabinet Secretary; and Melanie Squires MBE, formerly of the NFU.

More information: Council news release


Get involved in your Unitary Council


Residents don’t have to wait for an election to have a say in how Somerset is run. The Council’s Council and Democracy pages set out the main ways to get involved, including having your say through open consultations and engagement, finding and contacting your local councillor, following or speaking at council and committee meetings, checking committee agendas, reports and minutes, submitting or signing a petition, and exploring what’s involved in standing to become a councillor yourself.

Further information: Council and democracy

Upcoming Council meetings

Meeting dates are subject to change. When looking for details of a particular meeting, please contact the relevant officer to confirm that the meeting is going ahead as scheduled.

November 2026 meetings

Agendas are published around a week before each meeting. Each link below gives full details of where to attend, how to watch online and the start time. Want to ask a question? Email democratic@somerset.gov.uk before the public question deadline.

Useful links:
democracy.somerset.gov.uk – Council calendar

Somerset Rivers Authority – meetings and public questions


Report It First

Useful links to share with your communities


SOMERSET COUNCIL TELEPHONE NO – 0300 123 2224 / SOMERSET COUNCIL WEBSITE HOMEPAGE

Posted in Local Councillor Update, Somerset Council

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