COUNCILLORS have voted to increase council tax in Somerset by 3.99 per cent.

The decision was made at a Somerset County Council meeting at Shire Hall today to increase the authority’s share of the tax, including two per cent for adult social care.

Debate among the councillors focused on whether or not to increase the precept for adult social care to provide more costs for services.

Some argued it would be better to divide the six percent available over two years, but council leader John Osman said two per cent each year would provide more consistent care over a three year plan.

He said: “Council tax was raised last year to pay for key services, we need to find some balance.

“We need to think about people that don’t have children in school or family members needing care, too. We can thank the government for the flexibility, but it was limited flexibility.

“The two per cent rise is more sustainable.

“We face a huge dilemma trying to protect front line services. The council has received less money year on year for the past eight years.

“I do not want to carry on with ‘salami’ slices, so we are looking at a three-year plan. Salami slicing cannot carry on.”

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