Somerset County Council leader Cllr Ken Maddock has issued a New Year message for 2012.

He said: “Going into the New Year, I hope Somerset’s residents and businesses can look back on many highlights of 2011 and are confident about the year ahead.

“For the council it has been a challenging year, with tight financial restrictions meaning we have been forced to make savings.

"I have to say that the year ahead looks equally challenging, but there are several opportunities that mean we can look forward to 2012 with increasing optimism.

“First of all, one of our major projects to bring faster broadband speeds to homes and businesses will begin in earnest, with a pilot programme in Wheddon Cross.

"Following crucial work with partners to secure £30million of funding, the process will then begin to roll out superfast broadband across the county.

“We will also look to ‘kick on’ with changing the way the council works to give local people more say in how the authority is run and what services they need, as well as finding innovative ways of working which offer better value for money.

“Other investments to take place in 2012 include major road improvements for the A30 in Yeovil and A38 in north-east Bridgwater.

"In the spring, work will begin on a new road linking west and east Taunton, and in September two new schools are due to open in Bridgwater.

"We will also be continuing to work with partners to ensure the Hinkley Point development creates hundreds of new jobs for the area.

“The economy and the infrastructure to support it is one of our key priorities, as is giving children the best opportunities and looking after the most vulnerable in our society.

“Somerset County Council invested in and secured funding for projects worth £68m in 2011.

"Many of these projects are already beginning to pay genuine dividends.

“We had to make some very tough decisions in 2011, but by focussing resources on our priorities we have produced some impressive results.

“More Somerset children this year achieved five or more GCSEs at, or above, grade C than ever before. Our Get Somerset Working campaign to create 100 apprenticeships in 100 days actually saw more than 500 created by Somerset employers.

"Our Children’s Services were rated as ‘performing well’ by Ofsted for the fifth year running and our Adoption Service was judged to be ‘outstanding’.

“We know we face further reductions in funding from the Government, but we have committed to freezing council tax for the third year running to ease the pressure on your bills.

“Our successes in 2011 and plans for 2012 show what can be achieved, and give us all renewed enthusiasm.

“On that note, I wish everyone a very happy New Year, and a successful 2012.”