Somerset Council has paid £369,882 in relation to asbestos-related claims from employees over a 12-year period, according to new data shared through a freedom of information request.
Information released by the authority shows hundreds of buildings under its control contain asbestos-containing materials, with plans in place to manage the potentially hazardous material safely.
The data also recorded 11 potential or confirmed asbestos-exposure incidents between 2020 and December 2025.
Read more
Appeal after bid to build new housing development in Somerset village fails
Somerset mum hits out at police as no action taken over car theft
Five Somerset children's homes closed as charity apologises for failings
The council’s figures list 101 education properties, 11 civic or administrative buildings, 29 leisure or cultural buildings, and 70 other public buildings with asbestos-containing materials — a total of 211 sites.
Asbestos is a general name given to several naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have crystallised to form fibres. The material was previously used in building insulation, before being banned in 1985 due to health risks. If certain fibres are breathed in or ingested, they can cause serious lung damage and raise cancer risks.
Council say process in place to ensure asbestos safety
A council spokesperson said: "Like many organisations with a large and varied property estate, Somerset Council manages buildings that contain asbestos-containing materials.
"The presence of asbestos-containing materials does not in itself present a risk where they remain in good condition and are properly managed."
The spokesperson added: "The Council has processes in place to identify, monitor, and manage asbestos-containing materials across its estate and undertakes inspections, surveys, and remedial works where required to comply with its legal duties.
"It takes this duty seriously."
Responding to the FOI request, the authority said local asbestos-management plans for corporate and education buildings are in place and reviewed at least annually, while known asbestos materials are routinely monitored.
The council also said it runs a rolling audit programme for local-authority-maintained schools, and internal health-and-safety audits periodically examine asbestos management across services.
Asbestos exposure claims cost council nearly £370k since 2013
Somerset Council have received nine employee claims connected to asbestos, from over a 12-year period between 2013 and 2025.
Five are recorded as settled, suggesting that payments were made relating to these claimants. The £369,882.03 total cost to the council includes all payments made on those claims, as well as legal and associated costs.
The spokesperson said: "Somerset Council does not hold recorded information showing in how many of the nine cases liability for asbestos contamination was accepted."
"Five of the nine claims are recorded as settled, and the figure of £369,882.03 relates to all payments made on those claims, including legal and associated costs, and is not limited solely to compensation payments.
"We are unable to comment on individual cases."
Share