SSDC’s net revenue budget is £16,577,000, a cut of £768,400 (or 4.4%) from 2011/12. This has been achieved in the face of significant cost inflation (e.g. fuel) and without any significant loss of front-line services. The Council’s share of the total Council Tax (for a Band D property) will remain at £150.74; which is 10 % of your total tax bill.

The full budget book can be downloaded from here. Alongside each service heading, it is made clear how the service is funded (business rates, council tax, grant, etc).

The next stage in the plan-making process is to polish the document and take it to public consultation ahead of a Public Inquiry. Then it can be adopted.

Although this is building pressures in the budget for future years (the car parks don’t yet pay for themselves, just the near term maintenance) it was felt that the effect on certain groups, such as town centre churches, was disproportionate and that it “sent the wrong message” to Yeovil’s town centre traders at this very early stage in the economic recovery.

Pleasingly, the decision to fund the shortfall out of “New Homes Bonus” means that the draconian cuts proposed by the Conservatives during the Budget debate will not take place. These cuts would have hit arts, charities and community groups hard. These cultural activities help to make South Somerset a pleasant place to live in and provide a welcome relief from the “work, work, work” of austerity.

Aside from the shockingly large bills (Welfare, Health and Education) there are a few surprises at the lower end. If you listened to Nigel Farrage, you would never guess that Britain’s membership of the EU is the cheapest thing on the list at just half the size of the overseas aid bill. Pretty good value, given the business benefits of the single market.

As you can see from the map, the proposal apparently intended to annexe Chilthorne Domer, Thorne Coffin and Lufton as part of his campaign to try and frustrate the Local Development Framework’s Core Strategy process.

Whilst I am pleased to say that common sense prevailed, despite the blindly partisan tactics of SSDC’s Conservative Group, it is a reminder that if only one side of the argument is heard, making a fair and reasonable decision is difficult.

The ECPS campaign has access to mass media to put their case across. Councillors can’t engage on that level, partly because the media is interested in populist controversy but also because Councillors must be seen to be keeping an open mind and listening to the advice of professional officers.

At this stage, we’re trying to get the Core Strategy out to you to comment ahead of a public inquiry. After the consultation and after the Inspector’s report, we’ll be in a position to adopt a final version next year. Please make sure your view isn’t drowned out by the voice of vested interests.

Somerset County Council has now  responded formally to the community petition collected by Mandy Boniface and many others. They have conceded that a crossing is needed here and are proceeding to the feasibility and design stage. I expect this will be within a couple of months and will be an opportunity to make sure that the crossing is a ‘good neighbour’ to those properties facing Oak Tree Park.

The will not actually build the crossing until funding is released from the Brimsmore development. That doesn’t happen until the building starts …

As I said, half-a-chicken!

First the GOOD news …

1564 people (including 1441 residents of Yeovil) have so far (on the 12th) taken part in the Yeovil Travel Survey at www.iontravel.co.uk/yeovil. (actually, it;s a few more now, Screwfix circulated an e-mail to staff – thanks)

Now the BAD news …

The response could have been much better from some key local organisations. Obvious shortfalls are:

• RNAS Yeovilton
• Screwfix (now in! )
• Silverline
• Pittards
• Primary and Secondary School staff (except Holy Trinity, thanks)
• Town Centre Retail
• Town Centre Offices

If you know of someone who could give these organisations a nudge, please do so. The data will help us shape more appropriate public transport than we have had to date and may help us avoid ever worsening congestion problems.