Somerset Council has raised the alarm over its precarious financial situation, with reserves being drained for the second consecutive year to keep pace with ballooning social care costs.

The council's predicament serves as a bellwether for other local authorities across the UK, which are also grappling with unsustainable budgets.

Ahead of a meeting set for 6 September, council documents laid bare the "stark and challenging" financial scenario.

They revealed that last year, the council had to dip into reserves to the tune of £18 million to meet the cost overruns in both Adult and Children's care services. These departments are currently estimated to overspend by £21 million in the current fiscal year, despite previous budget augmentations.

A Crisis Magnified by Covid-19

The situation has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has escalated not just the volume of care needed but also its complexity. Although the Council is legally obligated to fund these services, the continuous dipping into reserves isn't sustainable, warns Cllr Liz Leyshon, Deputy Leader of Somerset Council.

"Obviously repeatedly using the Council's reserves to fund day-to-day care services cannot continue without putting the financial viability of the council at risk," she said.

The council's predicament doesn't exist in a vacuum. Other local authorities like Coventry City Council, Kent County Council, and Bristol City Council are also sounding the alarm about unsustainable budgets.

More Than Just Social Care

But the financial woes don't stop at social care. Somerset Council is also grappling with other cost escalations, such as increasing amounts of household waste and the financial burden of refinancing loans inherited from five predecessor councils.

Cllr Leyshon cited that rising inflation and interest rates further compound these problems, and the failure to address council funding on a national scale is pushing many well-run councils toward a Section 114 notice, a formal admission of a council's unbalanced budget.

A Glimmer of Hope?

While sounding the alarm, Cllr Leyshon also provided a glimmer of hope. Somerset could become Britain's green energy hub with the upcoming Hinkley Point C and a new proposed gigafactory.

"The next two years will be very, very difficult. The Council's challenge will be to make sure we are in the right place to make the most of these opportunities while taking care of those most in need," she said.

Moreover, the council is also actively collaborating with local NHS units to integrate care services and has a transformational programme underway, which is expected to yield savings in two to three years.

What Lies Ahead?

The future is fraught with challenges. As Cllr Leyshon acknowledges, residents who pay their council tax do so with the expectation that their local authority will provide a gamut of services, from sports and arts to parks and economic development.

"This is a difficult task but one that we are committed to for the people of Somerset," she said.