01278 228004

Chamber News

You are here: 

Help us shape a new unitary council for Somerset

Monday 22nd November, 2021

Organisations from across the county are joining together to deliver a new unitary council for Somerset – and local people are encouraged to be part of the conversation.

A public meeting is planned at Donyatt Village Hall, near Ilminster, on 25th November, 3pm until 5pm. It’s the third in a monthly series of events where residents and communities are invited to learn about, and feed into, the new council process.

Members of the recently-established Joint Advisory Board will be on-hand to answer any queries. They include representatives from Somerset County Council, the four District Councils, Somerset Association of Local Councils, City, Town and Parish Councils, health, police, education, and the voluntary and community sector. 

The Board is also developing  links to the Somerset Youth Parliament, and is particularly keen to engage young people in the sessions.

The role of the Board is advisory but its proposals, ideas and recommendations will feed in to the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Joint Committee – the decision-making body.

On the agenda at the Board this month will be the operating and governance principles of the new council, communications, an update on Local Community Networks (LCNs) and emerging plans for the next Town and Parish Council Conference.

Covid safety measures will be in place and mask-wearing is encouraged by attendees.

On 1st April 2023, Somerset will become a unitary authority, replacing the current County Council and four District Councils with a single council governing the whole area.  Find out more HERE.

Latest news

Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Newsletter - June 2026
July 3, 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Scheme newsletter. Over the past few months, the team has continued to make excellent progress across both the tidal barrier site and the downstream defences, achieving a number of important construction milestones that bring us closer to delivering long-term flood protection for Bridgwater and surrounding…

Read More
Celebration Mile Review - Share Your Views Now
July 3, 2026

Residents and businesses in Bridgwater are invited to have their say on the one-way traffic system in place in the Eastover area and options for potential changes. A review of East Quay and Salmon Parade was commissioned in response to a Full Council motion in December, tabled by Councillor Leigh Redman, and a petition. A…

Read More
Young Somerset Celebrates Inspiring Young People at Annual Awards
June 24, 2026

Young Somerset welcomed more than 150 guests, including young people, families, supporters and staff, on Thursday 18 June for a special evening celebrating the remarkable young people it works with across the county. The Young Somerset Awards recognised young people who have shown courage, creativity, determination and personal growth during their time with the charity’s…

Read More
Why the Somerset Business Expo mattered so much to us
June 23, 2026

Some ideas arrive with a neat plan, a tidy budget and a reassuring sense of certainty. The Somerset Business Expo was not one of those ideas. If you have listened to our podcast, you may already know the story. Last year, Matt and Roger headed down to an event in Exeter with a question hanging…

Read More