CHANCES of the Cresta swimming pool getting a much-needed facelift may have to wait until later rather than sooner after cash-strapped Somerset County Council put a freeze on all “non-essential” spending for the remainder of the 2015-16 financial year.

Pat Flaherty, the council’s chief executive, has admitted that tough times are ahead at County Hall with him expecting the authority to have an overspend of £7million – unless action is taken.

In a classified memo sent out to members of council staff Mr Flaherty said everyone knew that the authority was in for a difficult ride and emphasised the need to control spending.

“Over the recent months and weeks the detail of just how difficult it is going to be has got clearer,” he said. “Sadly, the clearer picture gets, the worse it looks.

“We all know the root causes of this – continued austerity and ever growing demand on our services, especially those for vulnerable children and adults.

“There are pressure from demography, inflation and developments like the National Living Wage. These are things largely out of our control but have massive impact on us and the fact is we are continuing to live beyond our means.

“As a local authority we have to balance our books. We aren’t allowed to operate with massive overspends and unless we turn a corner on spending we risk ending the year £7-million overspent.

“This would be unacceptable as it would deplete our already minimal reserves. We therefore need to take urgent action on the spend that we do not have control over.

“I am therefore putting a freeze on all non-essential spending for the remainder of this financial year. If it hasn’t already been committed and isn’t directly delivering either a statutory duty or priority improvement initiative, I am asking all my directors and strategic managers to ensure that the money is not spent unless it is essential.”

That probably means that possible work on improving the Cresta swimming pool in Chard – which is due to have a survey by the county council for officers to find out what needs doing and how much it will cost – will be put on hold.

Mr Flaherty, in his message to council staff, added: “This will not be a popular step and I accept that. I know that many of you are doing valuable work that doesn’t readily fit under the heading of a statutory service.

“What I am saying does not devalue that work, it simply accepts the painful reality that this council has to reduce its spending immediately if we are to be able to fulfil our statutory requirements to support the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

The council will not be recruiting any staff unless “absolutely necessary” and providing maintenance to infrastructure will only be done to a “safe and statutory minimum level.”

Mr Flaherty has also asked his directors to continue their operations more efficiently and cost effective.