THE Conservative-led Somerset County Council has today (Wednesday, February 18, 2015) approved to freeze the council tax for a sixth straight year - but will be cost-cutting some services to the tune of £16m.

Councillors voted 31-17 in support of the proposals to set a budget of more than £310m of spending and £57m of capital investment.

The revenue budget, which sets out £16m of savings, also includes spending of £86m on frontline services for adults and £40m for children, while the Capital Investment Programme outlines £57m to improve schools, roads and other infrastructure.

Council leader, Cllr John Osman, said: Despite the difficult economic climate which has seen our budget from Government reduced by £20m this year along, I'm pleased we have still been able to freeze council tax and spend millions on key areas such as looking after vulnerable adults and children, fuelling the local economy, and investing in our highways and schools.

"We have also had to make some very difficult decisions to reflect the fall in Government funding. There is no doubt that we would rather not be making some of these savings, and if the Government hadn't reduced our funding by so much then we wouldn't have to."

The council is pressing ahead with its Fairer Funding for Somerset campaign - regardless of which political power is in charge at Westminster following May's General Election.

For full details of the 2015/16 MTFP, please see the papers online at http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/council/meetings/reports.asp?item=1162 .