Local MPs in North Somerset are set to urge the government for more funding for the cash-strapped council.

North Somerset Council has warned it is in a “financial emergency” and is in danger of issuing a section 114 notice — effectively going bust — if it cannot balance its in-year budget. The council was facing a £23.5m overspend but savings found so far have now brought this down to £8.5m.

It is understood that North Somerset MP Sadik Al-Hassan, as well as Weston-super-Mare MP Dan Aldridge are set to meet with the Minister in charge of local government finance to discuss North Somerset’s financial settlement and press the case for further funding.

Mike Bell, the leader of North Somerset Council, said the council was calling on the government to “take action and stand up for councils” when it sets the country’s budget in the Autumn statement. He said: “Councils urgently need more funding, particularly to help the rising tide of support needed in adult and children services.”

Demands in adults and children’s services are driving budget concerns in councils across the country. In North Somerset, adults and children’s services together were projected to go over budget in the current financial year by £22m. After mitigations, this has been brought down to £13.7, with even more cuts and new ways of generating money being found across other areas of the council.

Mr Bell said: “Like many of our neighbouring authorities, as well as councils across the country, urgent work is under way in order for us to balance our 2024/25 budget and address growing pressures for future years after a significant increase in demand and cost for council services, particularly in children and adult services. 

“After years of austerity, government funding has not kept pace with increasing costs and rising demand. We are continuing to take measures to address the remaining £8.5m gap including releasing budget contingency funding earlier than ever before, stringent controls for all spend and considering all saving options.”

The council warned last month that efforts to save money would lead to unpopular decisions.

On Wednesday October 16, the council’s executive signed off on plans to roll out parking charges in currently free car parks and on-street parking locations in Clevedon, Nailsea, and Portishead — prompting concern for independent shops in Clevedon and Portishead Open Air Pool. Mr Bell said: “We cannot afford to provide free parking in the way we did in the past. We cannot justify subsidising parking when we are having to cut care services for vulnerable adults and children.”

If the council cannot balance its budget and has to issue a section 114 notice, the government would step in to take control of its finances. The council has warned this would see services cut to the “bare minimum.”