Somerset's Stark Choices

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Local government is facing one of its toughest years – as demand for essential services rises – and inflation, the rising cost of living, eats up funding. Discretionary spending for many authorities - from libraries to youth clubs - has already run out. Somerset is among one of the many councils in dire financial straits. As it tries to set its budget from April - it faces a huge challenge - finding savings of £100 million pounds. And that – inevitably – will mean some pretty stark choices; switching off CCTV, closing all public toilets, closing five recycling centres and withdrawing funding from sports centres and support services. It also wants to put council tax up. Alex Forsyth – a BBC Political correspondent – has been getting the inside track on the challenges facing this Lib Dem run council. This is 5 Minutes On Somerset’s Stark Choices. Image Credit: