Lib Dem Councillors update: January 2026

Key highlights

• Lib Dem Councillors standing up for fair funding for North Somerset, including a direct call to the Prime Minister on the impact of the provisional settlement. (North Somerset Council)
• Backing public transport with a three-year, multi-million pound funding package plus practical passenger improvements and promotions. (North Somerset Council)
• Lib Dems taking action on community safety, including “Winter of Action” multi-agency operations in Weston town centre. (North Somerset Council)
• Supporting health and wellbeing, from cold weather advice to smoking cessation support and new “Get Active” community grants. (North Somerset Council)
• Protecting nature and cutting waste, including Christmas tree “tree-cycling” and work to shape nature-based solutions with local organisations. (North Somerset Council)

Keeping services running while making the case for fair funding

A lot of the work of Lib Dem councillors in recent weeks has been tackling the scale of the financial challenge facing local government in North Somerset, with warnings about a significant funding gap and the longer-term pressures driven by demand and national funding decisions. (North Somerset Council)

As budgets for 2026 to 2027 were being prepared, the council also signalled that council tax could need to rise beyond the usual cap to protect essential services, with Lib Dem Council Leader Cllr Mike Bell setting out the underlying pressures at Cabinet. (North Somerset Council)

That theme continued into January, when the council wrote to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for urgent changes to the funding system, including warnings about the projected local impact of the provisional settlement. (North Somerset Council)

Transport and connectivity: investment, improvements, and fare incentives

A consistent thread across December and early January was improving day-to-day transport options.

• The council announced a three-year funding package for bus services and infrastructure, including ongoing support for community-focused services and a ring-fenced allocation for infrastructure schemes. (North Somerset Council)
• A seasonal offer provided free travel on the X10 between 5 and 24 December, aimed at encouraging people to try the bus for shopping, work, study and appointments. (North Somerset Council)
• Practical passenger improvements were delivered at Weston General Hospital, including a new shelter, better seating and real-time information. (North Somerset Council)
• Plans advanced for a new transport hub in Pill, with upgrades to shelters, real-time information screens, accessibility improvements and a refreshed precinct area. (North Somerset Council)

On the roads network, the council also issued advance notice of a temporary A38 closure near Sidcot School for essential ash dieback related tree works, prioritising public and workforce safety. (North Somerset Council)

Community safety and pride in place

The “Winter of Action” programme launched in December as a coordinated, multi-agency push to improve safety, reduce anti-social behaviour and support vulnerable people in and around Weston-super-Mare town centre. (North Somerset Council)

Later in the month, the council and Avon and Somerset Police reported follow-through action securing vacant town centre properties after unlawful access and repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour, with landlords engaged and buildings made safe. (North Somerset Council)

Alongside this, enforcement activity also featured in January, with the council securing a prosecution that resulted in a substantial penalty for food hygiene offences, reinforcing the message that public health protection and regulatory compliance remain non-negotiable. (North Somerset Council)

Health, wellbeing, and support for residents

Several updates focused on practical support during winter and on longer-term wellbeing:

• An amber cold health alert prompted advice for residents to check in on neighbours, friends and family, and to take simple steps to stay safe and well during colder conditions. (North Somerset Council)
• A public health message promoted local smoking cessation support across BNSSG, emphasising the health and cost benefits of quitting. (North Somerset Council)
• The council re-opened its Physical Activity Fund, offering community grants (up to £2,000) to support projects that help residents become more active, with applications open until 31 January 2026. (North Somerset Council)

Environment and climate action

We can also highlight strong local environmental action:

• A Christmas tree recycling partnership aimed to divert thousands of trees from waste, support habitat enrichment at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, and contribute to broader climate and waste reduction goals. (North Somerset Council)
• Businesses and organisations were invited to help shape future nature-based solutions, with engagement designed to support biodiversity, sustainable land management and a greener local economy. (North Somerset Council)
• Citizen science also featured, with an update celebrating volunteers’ contribution to the North Somerset Bat Survey 2025 and its role in understanding and protecting local bat populations. (North Somerset Council)

Stronger communities: devolution, skills, and the voluntary sector

A number of areas of work focused on enabling communities and building resilience:

• The council completed its first Local Devolution asset handover, transferring the management of two Yatton play areas to the parish council, positioning this as a practical step towards more local control of community assets. (North Somerset Council)
• A voluntary sector survey launched to capture the needs of VCSE organisations and improve how the council and sector work together. (North Somerset Council)
• The council highlighted outcomes from the Women’s Work Lab programme supporting mums returning to work, backed by UKSPF funding. (North Somerset Council)

Libraries: consultation results and next steps

In January, the council published results from a major consultation on the future of library services, with final recommendations due to go to Cabinet and Full Council on 24 February. The update set out the options considered and the scale of proposed savings, while emphasising the importance of keeping services fair, accessible and sustainable. (North Somerset Council)