With just a few days left to vote, supporters of a local poll on options for change in local government in Somerset have gathered to encourage people to have their say.
HOUSEHOLDS in Somerset will start receiving ballot papers this week for a local poll over the future of local government in the county. The poll was agreed by all four of Somerset s district councils - Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip and South Somerset - at meetings on Friday, April 30. Voters are being asked to choose between the two options being considered by Government to replace the existing five councils – Somerset County Council and the four districts. The options are: a. One council for Somerset (One Somerset – the plan for a single council proposed by Somerset County Council) b. Two councils for Somerset: Eastern Somerset and Western Somerset (Stronger Somerset - the plan for two councils for Somerset – an Eastern and a Western Somerset council – proposed by Somerset West and Taunton Council and the other district councils).
POLL: Somerset unitary authority poll: Are you voting? | Chard & Ilminster News chardandilminsternews.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chardandilminsternews.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
District councils to give residents a vote on shake-up of local government
A local poll of all electors on two proposals for the future of local government in Somerset – One Somerset and Stronger Somerset – is going ahead this month.
The poll, which will be independently run and verified by Civica Electoral Services, will take place from 18th May to 4th June.
Every elector will be issued with a ballot paper and invited to vote by post, with an online option.
The local poll was agreed by each of the four Somerset District Councils at a recent meeting.
The report considered at the meetings said holding a poll would “give residents a voice in the debate and help the Secretary of State in understanding and determining the level of support amongst residents for each of the options.”