COUNCIL tax payers in Somerset have been awarded a windfall from the Government.

Delighted leaders at Taunton Deane and Somerset County Councils are celebrating after the announcement they will get more money than expected over the next two years.

The Deane House will have an extra £64,000 over the two years from April, while County Hall can expect a further £4.8million.

The Deane gets £20,000 in the year from April and £10,000 the following year, with £17,000 transition funding for both years.

Council leader Cllr John Williams said: "We welcome the news that the cuts in our funding will not be quite as steep as previously expected in the next two years.

 

“We have experienced massive cuts to our budget over the last three years of around 37% totalling £2.2 million to our central Government grant funding so recognition that we have tremendous financial pressure id great news.

“Every little helps and it does give the council more time to plan for and deliver the significant savings needed to balance the books over the medium term.

"It is estimated the council will need to make annual savings of at least £2.4m per year by April 2019, which remains a significant challenge.”

 

Meanwhile, the county will be handed £2.9m for the year 2016-17 and £1.9m the following year.