Somerset Council is revising its budget setting timetable following confirmation from Government that the Final Local Government Settlement will now be published on 9 February 2026, a week later than previously expected.
The delay significantly affects the Council’s planned budget process and limits the time available to analyse the settlement, complete internal approvals, and prepare statutory budget papers.
The announcement on 9 February is also expected to confirm whether the Council will be authorised to set Council Tax above the referendum limit, subject to the democratic process at Full Council where all Councillors vote on the Council Tax and the overall budget. It will also confirm whether financial support will be provided to help address the accumulated Dedicated Schools Grant deficit.
Last year, similar decisions on Exceptional Financial Support, issued through a Capitalisation Directive, which allows councils to use borrowing or asset sales to cover day‑to‑day spending, were not released until 20 February. A comparable delay is likely again this year.
Cllr Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset Council, said:
This delay from Government is deeply frustrating. We are having to move our meetings only because the information we need to set a lawful and responsible budget is being provided later than expected.
This is not a situation of the Council’s making, and it is vital that we have the time required to understand the implications fully and make well‑informed decisions on behalf of Somerset residents.
Given these pressures, Somerset Council is adjusting its February and March meetings to ensure members can fully consider the 2026/27 budget:
- 11 February: Executive meeting focusing on HRA rent setting for 2026/27
- 25 February: Extraordinary Executive to consider savings, growth, fees and charges and HRA budget recommendations
- 4 March: Rescheduled Full Council meeting to set the 2026/27 budget
- 5 March: Reserve Executive date
- 6 March: Reserve Full Council date
