Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of financial management of Somerset County Council.

The Department constantly reviews the challenges facing the sector and individual authorities, including any challenges relating to financial management. Local authorities are independent bodies responsible for setting their own budgets, and for the prudent financial planning and management of their resources to deliver the services required to meet local needs. They can receive sector-led support provided by the Local Government Association to address their challenges.