West Somerset

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West Somerset
Non-metropolitan district
West Somerset logo.png
West Somerset UK locator map.svg
Shown within Somerset
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country England
Region South West England
Ceremonial county Somerset
Admin HQ Williton
Created1 April 1974
Government
 • Type Non-metropolitan district
 • LeaderTim Taylor
 • Council 
Area
 • Total280.63 sq mi (726.84 km2)
Population
 (mid-2018)
 • Total34,900
 • Density130/sq mi (49/km2)
Time zone UTC0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (BST)
Post Code
TA - various
Area code 01984
Website http://www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/
Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

West Somerset was a local government district in the English county of Somerset from 1974 to 2019. The council covered a largely rural area, with a population of 34,900 [1] in an area of 740 square kilometres (290 sq mi); [2] it was the least populous non-unitary district in England. According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics in 2009, the population of West Somerset had the oldest average age in the United Kingdom at 52. [3] The largest centres of population were the coastal towns of Minehead (population 10,000) and Watchet (4,400).

Contents

The council's administrative headquarters were located in the village of Williton, with an additional office in Minehead.

In September 2016, West Somerset and Taunton Deane councils agreed in principle to merge the districts into one (with one council) subject to consultation. [4] The new district would not be a unitary authority: it would still be part of the Somerset County Council area. [5] In March 2018 both councils voted in favour of the merger and it came into effect on 1 April 2019, with the first elections to the new council in May 2019. The new authority was known as Somerset West and Taunton Council. [6] [7] [8]

History

The district was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, by a merger of the previous urban districts of Minehead and Watchet, along with Dulverton Rural District and Williton Rural District.

Listed buildings

There were 33 Grade I listed buildings in West Somerset: the oldest are Culbone Church (one of the smallest churches in England, [9] and pre-Norman in origin) [10] and Tarr Steps, which some say originates in the Bronze Age, although others date them from around 1400. [11] Dunster has the greatest concentration of Grade I listed buildings including Dunster Castle, the Yarn Market, Gallox Bridge and Priory Church of St George. Other sites include manor houses such as Nettlecombe Court and Orchard Wyndham. The most recent buildings included in the list are Crowcombe Court which was completed in 1739 [12] and the Church of St John the Baptist in Carhampton which was rebuilt in 1863. [13] There are numerous religious structures in Somerset, with the largest number being Anglican parish churches, dating from Norman or medieval eras. Some of the churches are included in the Somerset towers, a collection of distinctive, mostly spireless Gothic church towers.

West Somerset Council Offices in Williton Williton, West Somerset Council offices - geograph.org.uk - 1551363.jpg
West Somerset Council Offices in Williton

Financial difficulties

In 2012 financial difficulties at the council, including a £1 million reduction over three years, lead to plans to outsource most of the services provided to the population and make most of the staff redundant. [14] It was proposed that some services may be shared with Taunton Deane council. [15] In December 2012 the grant received from central government was increased by 0.9% meaning the council had £3.8million to spend on the provision of services. [16]

Geography

West Somerset benefits from one of the most scenic landscapes in England. Nearly two-thirds of the western land area of the district forms part of Exmoor National Park, designated in 1954, while on the eastern edge of the district are the Quantock Hills, which in 1956 became the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty created in the UK. Large areas of Exmoor and the Quantock Hills are also designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest because of their value for wildlife.

The West Somerset Railway runs through most of the district, from Bishop's Lydeard in the south east to Minehead in the north west. Operated mainly as a tourist attraction, the railway runs mostly steam and some diesel locomotives.

Governance

West Somerset District Council was elected every four years, with 28 councillors being elected at each election. From the first election to the council in 1973 to the 1995 election the council had a majority of independents. Since then the Conservative Party won a majority at the 2003 election, but independents took a majority back at the 2007 election. Following the election in 2011 the Conservatives regained a majority, which they then held until the council's abolition in 2019. [17]

Settlements

Parishes

ImageNameStatusPopulationFormer local authorityCoordinatesRefs
Bicknoller church.jpg Bicknoller Civil parish371 Williton Rural District 51°09′N3°16′W / 51.15°N 3.27°W / 51.15; -3.27 (Bicknoller) [18] [19]
Brompton Ralph church.jpg Brompton Ralph Civil parish287 Williton Rural District 51°05′N3°19′W / 51.08°N 3.31°W / 51.08; -3.31 (Brompton Ralph) [18] [19]
Brompton Regis - geograph.org.uk - 662427.jpg Brompton Regis Civil parish449 Dulverton Rural District 51°04′N3°29′W / 51.07°N 3.49°W / 51.07; -3.49 (Brompton Regis) [18] [20]
BRUSHFORD, Somerset - geograph.org.uk - 66241.jpg Brushford Civil parish519 Dulverton Rural District 51°01′N3°32′W / 51.02°N 3.53°W / 51.02; -3.53 (Brushford, Somerset) [18] [20]
Carhampton, Somerset - geograph.org.uk - 66205.jpg Carhampton Civil parish865 Williton Rural District 51°10′N3°25′W / 51.17°N 3.42°W / 51.17; -3.42 (Carhampton, Somerset) [18] [19]
Clatworthychurch.JPG Clatworthy Civil parish101 Williton Rural District 51°04′N3°21′W / 51.07°N 3.35°W / 51.07; -3.35 (Clatworthy) [19]
Crowcombe church and cross.jpg Crowcombe Civil parish489 Williton Rural District 51°07′N3°14′W / 51.12°N 3.23°W / 51.12; -3.23 (Crowcombe) [18] [19]
Cutcombe church.jpg Cutcombe Civil parish361 Williton Rural District 51°08′N3°32′W / 51.14°N 3.53°W / 51.14; -3.53 (Cutcombe) [18] [19]
Dulverton church.jpg Dulverton Town1,408 Dulverton Rural District 51°03′N3°33′W / 51.05°N 3.55°W / 51.05; -3.55 (Dulverton) [18] [20]
Dunster.jpg Dunster Civil parish817 Williton Rural District 51°11′N3°27′W / 51.18°N 3.45°W / 51.18; -3.45 (Dunster) [18]
East Quantoxhead Church from the SSW - geograph.org.uk - 22698.jpg East Quantoxhead Civil parish104 Williton Rural District 51°11′N3°14′W / 51.18°N 3.24°W / 51.18; -3.24 (East Quantoxhead) [18]
Elworthy church.jpg Elworthy Civil parish103 Williton Rural District 51°07′N3°19′W / 51.11°N 3.31°W / 51.11; -3.31 (Elworthy) [19]
Exfordchurch.jpg Exford Civil parish405 Dulverton Rural District 51°08′N3°38′W / 51.13°N 3.64°W / 51.13; -3.64 (Exford, Somerset) [18] [20]
Fortescuecairn.jpg Exmoor Civil parish251 Dulverton Rural District 51°08′N3°45′W / 51.14°N 3.75°W / 51.14; -3.75 (Exmoor civil parish) [18] [20]
Exton - Bridgetown Mill - geograph.org.uk - 71109.jpg Exton Civil parish243 Dulverton Rural District 51°05′N3°32′W / 51.09°N 3.54°W / 51.09; -3.54 (Exton, Somerset) [18] [20]
Holford.jpg Holford Civil parish392 Williton Rural District 51°10′N3°13′W / 51.16°N 3.21°W / 51.16; -3.21 (Holford) [18] [19]
Huishchampflowerchurch.jpg Huish Champflower Civil parish301 Dulverton Rural District 51°04′N3°22′W / 51.06°N 3.36°W / 51.06; -3.36 (Huish Champflower) [18] [20]
Kilvechantry.jpg Kilve Civil parish305 Williton Rural District 51°11′N3°13′W / 51.18°N 3.22°W / 51.18; -3.22 (Kilve) [18] [19]
Luccombe church.jpg Luccombe Civil parish157 Williton Rural District 51°11′N3°34′W / 51.19°N 3.56°W / 51.19; -3.56 (Luccombe, Somerset) [18] [19]
River Washford, Pooltown.jpg Luxborough Civil parish237 Williton Rural District 51°08′N3°28′W / 51.13°N 3.46°W / 51.13; -3.46 (Luxborough) [18] [19]
View Over Minehead From Hill.jpg Minehead Town11,981 Williton Rural District
Minehead Urban District 		51°12′N3°28′W / 51.20°N 3.47°W / 51.20; -3.47 (Minehead) [18] [19] [21]
Bratton Court.jpg Minehead Without Civil parish60 Williton Rural District 51°12′N3°31′W / 51.20°N 3.51°W / 51.20; -3.51 (Minehead Without) [19]
Monksilverchurch.jpg Monksilver Civil parish113 Williton Rural District 51°08′N3°20′W / 51.13°N 3.33°W / 51.13; -3.33 (Monksilver) [18] [19]
NETTLECOMBE, Somerset - geograph.org.uk - 66189.jpg Nettlecombe Civil parish174 Williton Rural District 51°08′N3°21′W / 51.13°N 3.35°W / 51.13; -3.35 (Nettlecombe, Somerset) [18] [19]
Robber's Bridge, Exmoor, Somerset.jpg Oare Civil parish68 Williton Rural District 51°12′N3°43′W / 51.20°N 3.71°W / 51.20; -3.71 (Oare, Somerset) [19]
Old Cleeve church.jpg Old Cleeve Civil parish1,672 Williton Rural District 51°10′N3°23′W / 51.17°N 3.38°W / 51.17; -3.38 (Old Cleeve) [18] [19]
Porlock church.jpg Porlock Civil parish1,440 Williton Rural District 51°13′N3°36′W / 51.21°N 3.60°W / 51.21; -3.60 (Porlock) [18] [19]
Sampford Breet church.jpg Sampford Brett Civil parish270 Williton Rural District 51°10′N3°19′W / 51.16°N 3.31°W / 51.16; -3.31 (Sampford Brett) [18] [19]
Selworthytevillage.jpg Selworthy Civil parish477 Williton Rural District 51°13′N3°33′W / 51.21°N 3.55°W / 51.21; -3.55 (Selworthy) [18] [19]
St John the Baptist, Skilgate - geograph.org.uk - 693728.jpg Skilgate Civil parish100 Dulverton Rural District 51°02′N3°27′W / 51.04°N 3.45°W / 51.04; -3.45 (Skilgate) [20]
Crowcombe Heathfield railway station signal box.jpg Stogumber Civil parish702 Williton Rural District 51°08′N3°17′W / 51.13°N 3.29°W / 51.13; -3.29 (Stogumber) [18] [19]
Stogurseychurch.jpg Stogursey Civil parish1,385 Williton Rural District 51°11′N3°08′W / 51.18°N 3.14°W / 51.18; -3.14 (Stogursey) [18] [19]
St Mary the Virgin's Church, Stringston, Somerset.jpg Stringston Civil parish116 Williton Rural District 51°11′N3°11′W / 51.18°N 3.18°W / 51.18; -3.18 (Stringston) [19]
St. Petrock's church, Timberscombe - geograph.org.uk - 679109.jpg Timberscombe Civil parish402 Williton Rural District 51°08′N3°32′W / 51.13°N 3.54°W / 51.13; -3.54 (Timberscombe) [18] [19]
Treborough Lime Kilns.jpg Treborough Civil parish51 Williton Rural District 51°07′N3°25′W / 51.12°N 3.41°W / 51.12; -3.41 (Treborough) [19]
St James's Church, Upton, Somerset.jpg Upton Civil parish250 Dulverton Rural District 51°06′N3°26′W / 51.10°N 3.44°W / 51.10; -3.44 (Upton, Somerset) [18] [20]
Watchet.jpg Watchet Town3,785 Watchet Urban District 51°11′N3°20′W / 51.18°N 3.33°W / 51.18; -3.33 (Watchet) [18] [22]
St Audries Waterfall.jpg West Quantoxhead Civil parish343 Williton Rural District 51°10′N3°16′W / 51.17°N 3.27°W / 51.17; -3.27 (West Quantoxhead) [18] [19]
WillitonMethodistChurch.jpg Williton Civil parish2,607 Williton Rural District 51°10′N3°19′W / 51.16°N 3.31°W / 51.16; -3.31 (Williton) [18] [19]
Winsfordchurch.jpg Winsford Civil parish321 Dulverton Rural District 51°06′N3°34′W / 51.10°N 3.57°W / 51.10; -3.57 (Winsford, Somerset) [18] [20]
Withycombe church.jpg Withycombe Civil parish293 Williton Rural District 51°10′N3°25′W / 51.16°N 3.41°W / 51.16; -3.41 (Withycombe) [18] [19]
Withypool bridge.jpg Withypool and Hawkridge Civil parish201 Dulverton Rural District 51°07′N3°39′W / 51.11°N 3.65°W / 51.11; -3.65 (Withypool and Hawkridge) [18] [20]
Wootton Courtenay church.jpg Wootton Courtenay Civil parish264 Williton Rural District 51°11′N3°31′W / 51.18°N 3.52°W / 51.18; -3.52 (Wootton Courtenay) [18] [19]

Education

County schools (those which are not independent) in the five non-metropolitan districts of the county were operated by Somerset County Council.

For a full list of schools see: List of schools in Somerset

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Somerset Railway</span> Heritage railway line in Somerset, England

The West Somerset Railway (WSR) is a 22.75-mile (36.6 km) heritage railway line in Somerset, England. The freehold of the line and stations is owned by Somerset Council. The railway is leased to and operated by West Somerset Railway plc, which is supported and minority-owned by the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) charitable trust and the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust (WSRHT). WSR operates services using both heritage steam and diesel trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porlock</span> Village in Somerset, England

Porlock is a coastal village in Somerset, England, 5 miles (8 km) west of Minehead. At the 2011 census, the village had a population of 1,440.

Williton is a large village and civil parish in Somerset, England, at the junction of the A39, A358 and B3191 roads, on the coast 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Watchet between Minehead, Bridgwater and Taunton in the now-defunct Somerset West and Taunton district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brompton Regis</span> Human settlement in England

Brompton Regis is a village and civil parish in the Somerset West and Taunton district of Somerset, England about 5 miles (8.0 km) north-east of Dulverton. It is situated on the River Pulham in the Brendon Hills within the Exmoor National Park, close to Wimbleball Lake, a water supply reservoir constructed in the 1970s and completed in 1979. According to the 2011 census the village had a population of 449. The parish boundary is marked by the River Exe which is crossed by the medieval Chilly Bridge and Hele Bridge. The Haddeo is crossed by Bury Bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luxborough</span> Human settlement in England

Luxborough is a small village and civil parish located some 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Dunster, lying amongst the Brendon Hills and the Exmoor National Park in Somerset, England. It is divided into the hamlets of Churchtown, Kingsbridge and Pooltown, which lie within a mile of each other. Luxborough, 'Lolochesberie' in the Domesday Book, means 'stronghold or hill of a man called Lulluc'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oare, Somerset</span> Human settlement in England

Oare is a village and civil parish on Oare Water on Exmoor in the Somerset West and Taunton district of Somerset, England. It is located 6 miles (10 km) east of Lynton and the parish includes the hamlet of Oareford and the village of Culbone which contains its own tiny church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crowcombe</span> Human settlement in England

Crowcombe is a village and civil parish under the Quantock Hills in Somerset, England, 5.5 miles (9 km) southeast of Watchet, and 8 miles (13 km) from Taunton. The village has a population of 489.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cutcombe</span> Human settlement in England

Cutcombe is a village and civil parish 9 miles (14 km) south of Minehead and north of Dulverton straddling the ridge between Exmoor and the Brendon Hills in Somerset. It has a population of 361.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Quantoxhead</span> Human settlement in England

East Quantoxhead is a village in the district of Somerset West and Taunton, 3 miles (5 km) from West Quantoxhead, 4 miles (6 km) east of Williton, and 13 miles (21 km) west of Bridgwater, within the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Somerset, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exton, Somerset</span> Human settlement in England

Exton is a village and civil parish 5 miles (8 km) north-east of Dulverton and 9 miles (14 km) south-west of Dunster in Somerset, England. It lies on the River Exe on Exmoor. The parish includes the village of Bridgetown and covers 2,017 ha, all of which is within the national park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wootton Courtenay</span> Village in Somerset, England

Wootton Courtenay is a village and civil parish on Exmoor in the Somerset West and Taunton district of Somerset, England. The parish includes the hamlets of Brockwell and Huntscott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timberscombe</span> Human settlement in England

Timberscombe is a village and civil parish on the River Avill 2.5 miles (4 km) south-west of Dunster, and 5.5 miles (9 km) south of Minehead within the Exmoor National Park in Somerset, England. The parish includes the hamlet of Bickham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treborough</span> Human settlement in England

Treborough is a small village and civil parish 7 miles (11 km) south of Dunster, lying amongst the Brendon Hills within the Exmoor National Park in the Somerset West and Taunton district of Somerset, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Withycombe</span> Human settlement in England

Withycombe is a village, civil parish, and former manor 2.5 miles (4 km) south east of Dunster, and 5 miles (8 km) from Minehead within the Exmoor National Park in the Somerset West and Taunton district of Somerset, England. The parish includes the village of Rodhuish. The manor house of the manor of Withycombe survives as Sandhill Farm.

West Somerset is a local government district in the English county of Somerset. In the United Kingdom, the term listed building refers to a building or other structure officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance; Grade I structures are those considered to be "buildings of exceptional interest". Listing was begun by a provision in the Town and Country Planning Act 1947. Once listed, severe restrictions are imposed on the modifications allowed to a building's structure or its fittings. In England, the authority for listing under the Planning Act 1990 rests with Historic England, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; local authorities have a responsibility to regulate and enforce the planning regulations.

Williton was a rural district in Somerset, England, from 1894 to 1974.

The Hundred of Williton and Freemanners is one of the 40 historical Hundreds in the ceremonial county of Somerset, England, dating from before the Norman conquest during the Anglo-Saxon era although exact dates are unknown. Each hundred had a 'fyrd', which acted as the local defence force and a court which was responsible for the maintenance of the frankpledge system. They also formed a unit for the collection of taxes. The role of the hundred court was described in the Dooms (laws) of King Edgar. The name of the hundred was normally that of its meeting-place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiverton and Minehead (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 2024 onwards

Tiverton and Minehead is a constituency of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament. Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, it was first contested at the 2024 general election.

References

  1. ↑ "Statistics & Census Information". West Somerset Council. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  2. ↑ "West Somerset (Local Authority): Key Figures for Physical Environment". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
  3. ↑ "Maps chart UK's ageing population". BBC News. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  4. ↑ West Somerset Online
  5. ↑ Your New Council
  6. ↑ "Somerset councils merger approved despite criticism". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  7. ↑ Simmons, Alice (19 March 2018). "Taunton Deane and West Somerset vote in favour of council merger". Somerset County Gazette. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  8. ↑ Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (24 May 2018). "The Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  9. ↑ "Parish Churches". Somerset County archives. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
  10. ↑ "Culbone church". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
  11. ↑ "Tarr Steps". Everything Exmoor. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "Crowcombe Court". historicengland.org.uk. English Heritage. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  13. ↑ "Church of St John the Baptist, Carhampton". historicengland.org.uk. English Heritage. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  14. ↑ Morris, Steven (12 December 2012). "West Somerset council considers making most of its staff redundant". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  15. ↑ "West Somerset Council anti-bankruptcy plan approved". BBC. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  16. ↑ "Why West Somerset Council is at risk of going bust". BBC. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  17. ↑ "Council composition 2018". West Somerset Council. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 "Williton RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Dulverton RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  21. ↑ "Minehead UD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  22. ↑ "Watchet UD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
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