THE LIBRAL Democrat administration at Somerset County Council this week confirmed a 3.79% rise in council tax across the county following a full council meeting in Taunton.

The authority vowed the money would be used to invest in social care services, highway services and in infrastructure.

Cllr Sam Crabb, Portfolio Holder for recourses' and finance, said: "The Lib Dems plan to invest a further £23million in day-to-day front line services and a further £255million through our capital programme over the next three years.

"This is an ambitious programme and investment must, of course, be paid for.

"With good financial management and effective forward planning we have been able to deliver this level of significant investment whilst keeping the council tax rise to one of the lowest in the country."

The planned investment in services around the county include £64million in the Highways and Transport Infrastructure, £2million to replace Social Care facilities and £4million to provide new primary schools in Yeovil and Taunton.

The council also plans to double spending on funding extra Police Community Support Officers and enhanced support for victims of domestic abuse and alcohol-related crime.

Leader of the County Council, Jill Shortland, stated: "The public want to know that we are on their side and that we are fighting for what they want.

"We want council tax to be as low as possible and yet our funding from government is not sufficient for us to be able to keep it lower than we have.

"Although funding has improved we are still £34 million short of funding for essential services."

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