The Somerset Council Executive met to discuss a range of issues, including approving the revocation of several Air Quality Management Areas, adopting the Get Somerset Working Plan, and investing in data and AI transformation. The executive reaffirmed its commitment to the Taunton Strategic Flood Alleviation and Improvements Scheme and approved a new policy and procedure relating to Section 19 of the Education Act 1996, as well as the deployment of Somerset’s High Needs Provision Capital Allocation.

Revocation of Air Quality Management Areas

The executive approved the revocation of the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in East Reach and Henlade, and agreed to revoke the Yeovil AQMA in 2026, pending compliant data from 2025.

AQMAs are declared when air quality fails to meet prescribed standards for certain pollutants¹. The council is legally obliged to monitor air quality and declare these areas under the Environment Act 1995. The decision follows improvements in air quality due to measures in previous Air Quality Action Plans and national initiatives, such as the replacement of older vehicles. According to the Revocation of Air Quality Management Areas report, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels, the primary pollutant in these areas, have fallen below the annual mean objective of 40 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m-3).

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing Revenue Account, Culture and Equality and Diversity, highlighted that the improved air quality would benefit residents and visitors. The council will continue to monitor air quality across the district and will implement a local air quality strategy.

Modern Data and AI Council

The executive approved the Modern Data and AI Council business case, allocating up to £1.561 million in capital funding to enable data and AI transformation. The aim is to improve service efficiency and change working practices. A decision on whether to proceed further with the project will be made in August 2026.

The Modern Data and AI Council report stated that the council faces rising demand and tight finances, while expectations for responsive, preventative services continue to grow. The programme seeks to consolidate data on a secure platform, remove duplicates and inconsistencies, and deliver a sequenced backlog, beginning with homelessness prevention and Adult Social Care reporting.

Councillor Theo Butt Philip, Lead Member for Transformation, Human Resources and Localities, said that the programme would enable earlier help and more coordinated services for residents, tackle inequalities through better insight and locality working, improve operational resilience and transparency, and strengthen evidence for decisions on sustainability and infrastructure.

The council also agreed to quarterly reporting to the Corporate and Resources Scrutiny Committee on the Modern Data and AI programme and the use of AI within the council.

Endorsement of the Get Somerset Working Plan

The executive adopted the Get Somerset Working Plan (2025), a strategic response to economic inactivity in the region. The plan focuses on supporting those excluded from employment due to health conditions, caring responsibilities, or complex barriers.

The Get Somerset Working Plan report stated that the plan aims to unlock potential, raise employment levels, and build a fairer and more resilient future for all. Employer engagement is central to its success, with anchor institutions expected to lead by example in building inclusive workforces.

The executive delegated authority to the Service Director for Economic Development, Skills and Climate, in consultation with Councillor Mike Rigby, Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, to make any required minor amendments and oversee the plan's design and publication.

Taunton Strategic Flood Alleviation and Improvements Scheme

The executive reaffirmed its commitment to the Taunton Strategic Flood Alleviation and Improvements Scheme (TSFAIS) TTC5, left bank of River Tone flood defences, noting that the scheme is intended to be fully externally funded.

The Taunton Strategic Flood Alleviation and Improvements Scheme report stated that the scheme will provide flood protection to approximately 225 properties and reduce flood risk to key transport routes and infrastructure. It will also enable the delivery of brownfield regeneration sites in Taunton Town Centre.

The executive delegated authority to the Service Director for Economic Development, Skills and Climate, in consultation with Councillor Graham Oakes, Lead Member for Public Health, Climate Change and Environment, to sign the Collaborative Agreement for the construction phase of TTC5 and the Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) application to Defra.

Section 19 of the Education Act (1996) Somerset Council Policy and Procedure

The executive approved the adoption of the Section 19 policy, as set out in Appendix 1 of the Section 19 of the Education Act report. Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on local authorities to provide suitable education for children who are unable to attend school.

The new policy aims to improve the efficacy of the council's approach and address failures identified by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO). It establishes a multi-agency panel to determine eligibility for Section 19 provision.

The Service Director Education will conduct a formal review of the impact of this policy in 3 to 6 months for consideration by Executive and the Scrutiny Committee for Corporate and Resources.

Deployment of Somerset’s High Needs Provision Capital Allocation

The executive approved the deployment of Somerset’s High Needs Provision Capital Allocation (HNPCA) to expand state-maintained specialist provision and support accessibility improvements in local schools.

The Deployment of Somersets High Needs Provision Capital Allocation report stated that the decision relates to the deployment of HNPCA funding over a three-year period to:

• Expand state-maintained specialist provision through SEN Units and special school expansions/satellites
• Support accessibility improvements under the School Access Initiative (SAI) to enable more inclusive placements in local schools.

The executive approved the projects to which HNPCA could be deployed, the average per place cost for each type of place delivered, and the number of places to be delivered within the state-maintained sector over a three-year period. They also delegated responsibility to the Service Director for Education and S151 Officer to develop, commission and deliver a capital programme that meets the Government’s conditions on the deployment of the HNPCA. A report will be brought back in 12 months on progress made against the targets achieved.

Public and Member Questions

Jan Windsor asked what percentage of affordable housing in Somerset is currently occupied by people who previously lived outside the county, and whether the council has any formal arrangements with organisations from outside Somerset to allocate affordable housing to non-residents.

Mike Peace stated that Somerset was promised that bringing five councils together into one would deliver efficiency savings of around 20%, but that the council is heading towards bankruptcy. He said that the auditors, Grant Thornton, have twice warned that savings are not being made, and in January they issued statutory red card warnings. He also said that over £9 million has already been spent on consultants for adult social care, and another £3 million for HR, yet basic harmonisation of staff terms and conditions still hasn't been achieved. He raised concerns about the Inspiring Innovation project, the Modern Data and AI Council, and the regeneration funding in Glastonbury.

Councillor Dawn Denton asked what reasons the Executive can give for the lack of movement on the Saxonvale site in Frome, and what specific steps are being taken to address this.

Councillor Diogo Rodrigues asked for a breakdown of the council's asset disposals since vesting day, including which assets have been sold and the capital receipts achieved for each, the level of borrowing that was originally undertaken to purchase or invest in these assets, and the outstanding balance of that borrowing after the disposal, the annual interest cost associated with that outstanding borrowing, and the net revenue income that has been lost to the council as a result of each disposal.

Councillor Lucy Trimnell asked what action will be taken, should the feedback on the consultation on the Town Centre master plan for Yeovil show strong feelings against the proposal to remove four key car parks.