NEAR-bankrupt Somerset Council has claimed almost two-thirds of residents are happy to pay more council tax this year.

The claim came as the authority waits to hear if the Government will allow it to raise bills by a whopping 11 per cent.

However, only 11 per cent of people said they would accept a rise greater than 4.99 per cent.

Anything more than 4.99 per cent has to be agreed by a public referendum, but the council has asked Government for a third successive year for ‘exceptional financial support’ which would allow a larger rise without such a vote.

Last year, the Government allowed Somerset to impose a 7.5 per cent council tax increase.

The council is faced with bridging a £41 million funding gap, down from a previous £101 million, when it fixes its annual budget on February 25.

It is claiming that a public consultation on its budget proposals which attracted more than 1,400 responses from the county’s 550,000 population showed most people were happy to pay more money to prevent further cuts to public services.

Many residents also wanted to see lobbying of Government to continue providing additional funding to Somerset and to change the way councils were funded.

Thirty-six per cent of respondents did not want to see any rise at all in their bills, while two per cent called for bills to be reduced

When people were specifically asked about their preferred methods to balance the budget, increasing council tax was the least popular option.

More than half said the council should primarily balance its budget by selling property and cutting non-statutory services, rather than increasing council tax bills.

Asked which services should be prioritised, 55 per cent chose the condition of roads and pavements, followed by 29 per cent stating crime, and 28 per cent each for public transport and schools.

A massive 83 per cent of people said they did not want to see any further cuts in road maintenance budgets.

A council spokesperson said: “Many comments focused on concerns about inefficiency and waste, particularly spending on consultants, agency staff, senior salaries, and projects seen as unnecessary.

“Some of those commenting want the council to demonstrate internal savings first, especially in management structures, office costs, procurement, and contract oversight.

“There were comments suggesting trust in the council’s financial decision-making is currently low, and respondents want greater transparency.

“At the same time, people strongly value key council services, notably roads, public transport, waste services, and essential social care.

“They want these protected but also want clearer explanations for the rising cost of adult and children’s services.

“Overall, many of those commenting understand the financial pressures but expect the council to make visible, meaningful efficiency improvements before seeking higher contributions from households.

“Several ideas to raise income or reduce spend were put forward, ranging from reducing spend on consultants to increasing enforcement fines - littering, dog fouling, fly-tipping, etc.

“All these will be shared with the council’s executive and services so they can be considered.”