THE merger of Taunton Deane Borough and West Somerset Councils will be officially sanctioned today (Thursday), according to a local MP.

West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said Communities Secretary Sajid Javid will issue a written Parliamentary statement approving plans for the new council.

The two existing councils will be scrapped and be replaced by a new authority known as Somerset West and Taunton.


READ MORE: Minister backs merger - now Parliament must vote


Mr Liddell-Grainger, who has been opposed to the plan throughout, said: "I am bitterly disappointed with the Secretary of State’s decision.

"I have always said that these proposals amount to 'Merger Most Foul'.

"My constituents can never be properly represented in a Taunton-dominated body – they will be the powerless few.

"The public was never properly consulted. The alternatives were never honestly considered.

"Co-operating with neighbouring authorities made sense.

"But abolishing our District Council is a pointless tragedy. I will go on fighting to ensure that the best interests of 35,000 people in West Somerset are protected.”