The leaders of Bath & North East Somerset Council and Somerset Council have vowed to work together in the “best interests” of the region.
Cllrs Guy and Revans in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall in Bath | Photo © B&NES Lib Dems
Liberal Democrat leaders Councillor Kevin Guy and Councillor Bill Revans met to discuss the issues that the area faces, and how both local authorities can work together.
Councillor Revans became Leader of Somerset Council in May 2022, when the Lib Dems won 61 out of 110 seats.
In May 2023, Somerset County Council will become a unitary authority, like Bath & North East Somerset.
During the meeting, the leaders discussed rural bus routes, over-development, and rural internet connectivity.
One issue discussed was the state of the region’s bus routes. The D2 bus which runs between Frome and Bath is at risk of being cut, with the service not running on Sundays or public holidays from October.
Somerset councillor Sara Dyke has started a campaign to save the bus route, criticising the impact that this will have on people in their communities.
Commenting after their meeting, Councillor Kevin Guy said: “It was great to meet with Bill to talk about our region and our plans. We discussed some key issues that impact our residents and I look forward to working with Bill towards a better region.
“The election results in Somerset earlier this year were astounding.
“The threat to bus services is a big issue in both our communities. Our region’s buses are clearly in turmoil. The D2 bus between Frome and Bath is at risk.
“Again and again local people are being hit because of the Conservative Government’s incompetence.”
Councillor Bill Revans added: “As Somerset transitions to a unitary authority, it’s very useful to further enhance our relationships with our neighbours and learn from their experience.
“There are many issues, such as bus service routes, which we need to look at across council boundaries; co-operation between Councils is more important than ever.”
