RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on the controversial merger between West Somerset and Taunton Deane Borough Councils.

This week a series of roadshows were announced where you will be able to talk directly to representatives from the councils and give your views on the proposal for a single district council covering both areas.

It is part of a wider consultation launched last month which will help inform the Secretary of State's decision on creating a new council - however the councils were keen to emphasise that this is not a referendum or ballot.

Cllrs John Williams, leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, and Anthony Trollope-Bellew, leader of West Somerset Council, said: “It is an established fact that all Councils across the land are struggling with the severe reductions in Government grant funding, we have lost more than 40 per cent of core funding since 2012.

“We have met this challenge so far by reducing administration and back office costs and by joining our workforces into a single team through our partnership agreement.

“There is only so far we can go with cost savings at present so we are considering how we modernise and streamline what we do and how we do it.

"This, together with the proposal to form one district council covering the geographical area of the existing two councils, will deliver substantial savings to help maintain the vital front line services we know people value.

"We urge you to respond to the consultation and let us know your views.”

However opponents to the merger argue this consultation should have been done before the two councils voted for the new authority.

The roadshow series starts on January 12 in West Somerset and finishes in Taunton Deane on January 26:

n January 12 – Watchet, Phoenix Centre, 10am-3pm

n January 17 – Wellington Library, 10am-3pm

n January 17 – Dulverton, Library 10am – 1pm and 1.30pm – 3pm

n January 19 – Taunton (venue to be confirmed) – see www.yournewcouncil.org

n January 20 – Minehead, Beach Hotel, 10am-3pm

n January 26 - Wiveliscombe, Community Centre, 10am-3pm

If you are unable to attend a roadshow, you can still have your say by going to www.yournewcouncil.org where there is an online comment facility.

An information booklet has been produced and will be available at council offices and at the roadshows.

Opponents of the merger faced a blow on December 22, 2016 as a judicial review launched by 15 Taunton Deane Cllrs was dismissed by the High Court where it was labelled 'premature and academic'.