TAUNTON Deane MP Jeremy Browne has warned Somerset County Council not to make reckless cuts after the government announced a better-than-expected budget settlement for Somerset.

The warning comes after council officials learned Somerset County Council will see only a 2% fall in its budget in 2011-12.

Liberal Democrat Mr Browne said: "Somerset County Council needs to think again about its destructively deep cuts. The cuts they want to make are much bigger than is necessary and they were planned before SCC even knew its budget allocation.

"A 2% reduction will require belts to be tightened but it is not an excuse for the wholesale closure of key services."

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