West Somerset
West Somerset | |
---|---|
UTC+1 (BST) | |
Post Code | |
Area code | 01984 |
Website | http://www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/ |
West Somerset was a local government district in the English county of Somerset from 1974 to 2019. The council covered a largely rural area, with a population of 34,900[1] in an area of 740 square kilometres (290 sq mi);[2] it was the least populous non-unitary district in England. According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics in 2009, the population of West Somerset had the oldest average age in the United Kingdom at 52.[3] The largest centres of population were the coastal towns of Minehead (population 10,000) and Watchet (4,400).
The council's administrative headquarters were located in the village of Williton, with an additional office in Minehead.
In September 2016, West Somerset and Taunton Deane councils agreed in principle to merge the districts into one (with one council) subject to consultation.[4] The new district would not be a unitary authority: it would still be part of the Somerset County Council area.[5] In March 2018 both councils voted in favour of the merger and it came into effect on 1 April 2019, with the first elections to the new council in May 2019. The new authority was known as Somerset West and Taunton Council.[6][7][8]
History
The district was formed on 1 April 1974, under the
Listed buildings
There were 33 Grade I
Financial difficulties
In 2012 financial difficulties at the council, including a £1 million reduction over three years, lead to plans to outsource most of the services provided to the population and make most of the staff redundant.[14] It was proposed that some services may be shared with Taunton Deane council.[15] In December 2012 the grant received from central government was increased by 0.9% meaning the council had £3.8million to spend on the provision of services.[16]
Geography
West Somerset benefits from one of the most scenic landscapes in England. Nearly two-thirds of the western land area of the district forms part of
The
Governance
West Somerset District Council was elected every four years, with 28
Settlements
- Ashbeer
- Dulverton, Dunster
- East Quantoxhead, Elworthy, Escott, Exford, Exton
- Flaxpool
- Higher Vexford, Holford, Huish Champflower
- Kingswood
- Lynch, Lyncombe
- Minehead, Monksilver
- Oareford, Old Cleeve
- Preston
- Roadwater
- Triscombe
- Upton
- Vellow
- Woodford, Wootton Courtenay
- Yarde
Parishes
Education
County schools (those which are not
For a full list of schools see: List of schools in Somerset
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in West Somerset
- Quay West Radio
References
- ^ "Statistics & Census Information". West Somerset Council. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
- ^ "West Somerset (Local Authority): Key Figures for Physical Environment". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
- ^ "Maps chart UK's ageing population". BBC News. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
- ^ West Somerset Online
- ^ Your New Council
- ^ "Somerset councils merger approved despite criticism". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ Simmons, Alice (19 March 2018). "Taunton Deane and West Somerset vote in favour of council merger". Somerset County Gazette. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (24 May 2018). "The Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
- ^ "Parish Churches". Somerset County archives. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
- ^ "Culbone church". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
- ^ "Tarr Steps". Everything Exmoor. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- ^ "Crowcombe Court". historicengland.org.uk. English Heritage. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
- ^ "Church of St John the Baptist, Carhampton". historicengland.org.uk. English Heritage. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
- ^ Morris, Steven (12 December 2012). "West Somerset council considers making most of its staff redundant". London: Guardian. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
- ^ "West Somerset Council anti-bankruptcy plan approved". BBC. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
- ^ "Why West Somerset Council is at risk of going bust". BBC. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ "Council composition 2018". West Somerset Council. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "Williton RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Dulverton RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ^ "Minehead UD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ^ "Watchet UD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.