WELLS City Council is reaching out to residents within the city boundary for their views on the potential impacts of devolution – a process that could reshape the way local services are managed.
As Somerset County Council grapples with financial challenges, the transfer of certain services to local city, town and parish councils is under consideration.
Devolution would see the responsibility for various services – such as maintaining playgrounds, emptying litter bines, grass cutting and managing public toilets – shift from Somerset to more localised councils.
Wells City Council says it is determined to safeguard and sustain these services, with a particular focus on those most vital to the community. It sees this moment as a once-in-a-
generation opportunity to ensure the continued delivery of essential services while exploring ways to enhance and expand them for the future.
Councillor Stewart Cursley, Chair of the Council’s Finance and Council Matters Committee, emphasised the significance of the project. He said: “This is a significant undertaking. We must be prepared to manage services effectively for our residents, businesses, and visitors. However, it’s equally important that our priorities align with those of the community, which is why we are seeking public input.”
Residents within the Wells City boundary are being encouraged to voice their opinions on the potential devolution and its effects on local services. Detailed information on the services in question can be found in the Wells City Council Newsletter inside the September edition of Wells Voice (pages 21-25).
There is also a response form that people are asked to complete and return to the city council at Wells Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, BA5 2RB. The deadline for comments and feedback is October 1.
A public meeting will be held at the Town Hall on Thursday, September 26, at 7pm, when the devolution of services will be discussed further, and residents will be able to share their views.
Haylee Wilkins, the council’s Devolution Officer, stressed the urgency of community engagement, saying: “We are working to a very tight timeline and need to hear from as many residents as possible from within the City boundary that is covered by the Wells City Council precept. If you live within the City, please return the enclosed proforma to the city council or join us at the public meeting on Thursday, September 26, at the Town Hall at 7pm.
“There is also the opportunity to provide your views via our website at www.wells.gov.uk”
The future of Wells’ local services could be shaped by residents’ input, she said, urging them to make their voices heard.
The city council points out in the Newsletter that because the extent of the services it will take over from Somerset Council is still unknown, it is having to plan for different levels of service provision. This means that the amount by which the parish precept – the city council’s share of council tax – will need to go up next year is not yet clear, and it may be one of the things about which people may want to voice their opinions.