West Somerset

This article is about the former district. For the constituency, see West Somerset (UK Parliament constituency). For the town in South Africa, see Somerset West.

West Somerset
Non-metropolitan district
Shown within Somerset
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Constituent country	England
Region	South West England
Ceremonial county	Somerset
Admin HQ	Williton
Created	1 April 1974
Abolished	1 April 2019
Government
• Type	Non-metropolitan district
• Leader	Tim Taylor
• Council
Area
• Total	280.63 sq mi (726.84 km2)
Population  (mid-2018)
• Total	34,900
• Density	130/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/

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).

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

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

See also: West Somerset District Council elections

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

• Allerford, Ashbeer
• Battleton, Bickham, Bicknoller, Bilbrook, Bossington, Brandish Street, Bratton, Bridgetown, Brompton Ralph, Brompton Regis, Brushford
• Carhampton, Chapel Cleeve, Churchtown, Clatworthy, Crowcombe, Crowcombe Heathfield, Culbone, Cutcombe
• Dulverton, Dunster
• East Quantoxhead, Elworthy, Escott, Exford, Exton
• Flaxpool
• Halsway, Hawkridge, Higher Vexford, Holford, Huish Champflower
• Kilve, Kilton, Kingsbridge, Kingswood
• Lawford, Leighland Chapel, Lilstock, Lower Vellow, Lower Vexford, Lower Weacombe, Luccombe, Luxborough, Lynch, Lyncombe
• Minehead, Monksilver
• Oare, Oareford, Old Cleeve
• Pooltown, Porlock, Preston
• Roadwater
• St Audries, Sampford Brett, Selworthy, Simonsbath, Skilgate, Stoke Pero, Stogumber, Stogursey, Stringston
• Timberscombe, Tivington, Torre, Treborough, Triscombe
• Upton
• Vellow
• Washford, Watchet, Weacombe, West Quantoxhead, Williton, Winsford, Withycombe, Withypool, Woodford, Wootton Courtenay
• Yarde

Parishes

Image	Name	Status	Population	Former local authority	Coordinates	Refs
	Bicknoller	Civil parish	371	Williton Rural District	51°09′N3°16′W / 51.15°N 3.27°W / 51.15; -3.27 (Bicknoller)	[18] [19]
	Brompton Ralph	Civil parish	287	Williton Rural District	51°05′N3°19′W / 51.08°N 3.31°W / 51.08; -3.31 (Brompton Ralph)	[18] [19]
	Brompton Regis	Civil parish	449	Dulverton Rural District	51°04′N3°29′W / 51.07°N 3.49°W / 51.07; -3.49 (Brompton Regis)	[18] [20]
	Brushford	Civil parish	519	Dulverton Rural District	51°01′N3°32′W / 51.02°N 3.53°W / 51.02; -3.53 (Brushford, Somerset)	[18] [20]
	Carhampton	Civil parish	865	Williton Rural District	51°10′N3°25′W / 51.17°N 3.42°W / 51.17; -3.42 (Carhampton, Somerset)	[18] [19]
	Clatworthy	Civil parish	101	Williton Rural District	51°04′N3°21′W / 51.07°N 3.35°W / 51.07; -3.35 (Clatworthy)	[19]
	Crowcombe	Civil parish	489	Williton Rural District	51°07′N3°14′W / 51.12°N 3.23°W / 51.12; -3.23 (Crowcombe)	[18] [19]
	Cutcombe	Civil parish	361	Williton Rural District	51°08′N3°32′W / 51.14°N 3.53°W / 51.14; -3.53 (Cutcombe)	[18] [19]
	Dulverton	Town	1,408	Dulverton Rural District	51°03′N3°33′W / 51.05°N 3.55°W / 51.05; -3.55 (Dulverton)	[18] [20]
	Dunster	Civil parish	817	Williton Rural District	51°11′N3°27′W / 51.18°N 3.45°W / 51.18; -3.45 (Dunster)	[18]
	East Quantoxhead	Civil parish	104	Williton Rural District	51°11′N3°14′W / 51.18°N 3.24°W / 51.18; -3.24 (East Quantoxhead)	[18]
	Elworthy	Civil parish	103	Williton Rural District	51°07′N3°19′W / 51.11°N 3.31°W / 51.11; -3.31 (Elworthy)	[19]
	Exford	Civil parish	405	Dulverton Rural District	51°08′N3°38′W / 51.13°N 3.64°W / 51.13; -3.64 (Exford, Somerset)	[18] [20]
	Exmoor	Civil parish	251	Dulverton Rural District	51°08′N3°45′W / 51.14°N 3.75°W / 51.14; -3.75 (Exmoor civil parish)	[18] [20]
	Exton	Civil parish	243	Dulverton Rural District	51°05′N3°32′W / 51.09°N 3.54°W / 51.09; -3.54 (Exton, Somerset)	[18] [20]
	Holford	Civil parish	392	Williton Rural District	51°10′N3°13′W / 51.16°N 3.21°W / 51.16; -3.21 (Holford)	[18] [19]
	Huish Champflower	Civil parish	301	Dulverton Rural District	51°04′N3°22′W / 51.06°N 3.36°W / 51.06; -3.36 (Huish Champflower)	[18] [20]
	Kilve	Civil parish	305	Williton Rural District	51°11′N3°13′W / 51.18°N 3.22°W / 51.18; -3.22 (Kilve)	[18] [19]
	Luccombe	Civil parish	157	Williton Rural District	51°11′N3°34′W / 51.19°N 3.56°W / 51.19; -3.56 (Luccombe, Somerset)	[18] [19]
	Luxborough	Civil parish	237	Williton Rural District	51°08′N3°28′W / 51.13°N 3.46°W / 51.13; -3.46 (Luxborough)	[18] [19]
	Minehead	Town	11,981	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]
	Minehead Without	Civil parish	60	Williton Rural District	51°12′N3°31′W / 51.20°N 3.51°W / 51.20; -3.51 (Minehead Without)	[19]
	Monksilver	Civil parish	113	Williton Rural District	51°08′N3°20′W / 51.13°N 3.33°W / 51.13; -3.33 (Monksilver)	[18] [19]
	Nettlecombe	Civil parish	174	Williton Rural District	51°08′N3°21′W / 51.13°N 3.35°W / 51.13; -3.35 (Nettlecombe, Somerset)	[18] [19]
	Oare	Civil parish	68	Williton Rural District	51°12′N3°43′W / 51.20°N 3.71°W / 51.20; -3.71 (Oare, Somerset)	[19]
	Old Cleeve	Civil parish	1,672	Williton Rural District	51°10′N3°23′W / 51.17°N 3.38°W / 51.17; -3.38 (Old Cleeve)	[18] [19]
	Porlock	Civil parish	1,440	Williton Rural District	51°13′N3°36′W / 51.21°N 3.60°W / 51.21; -3.60 (Porlock)	[18] [19]
	Sampford Brett	Civil parish	270	Williton Rural District	51°10′N3°19′W / 51.16°N 3.31°W / 51.16; -3.31 (Sampford Brett)	[18] [19]
	Selworthy	Civil parish	477	Williton Rural District	51°13′N3°33′W / 51.21°N 3.55°W / 51.21; -3.55 (Selworthy)	[18] [19]
	Skilgate	Civil parish	100	Dulverton Rural District	51°02′N3°27′W / 51.04°N 3.45°W / 51.04; -3.45 (Skilgate)	[20]
	Stogumber	Civil parish	702	Williton Rural District	51°08′N3°17′W / 51.13°N 3.29°W / 51.13; -3.29 (Stogumber)	[18] [19]
	Stogursey	Civil parish	1,385	Williton Rural District	51°11′N3°08′W / 51.18°N 3.14°W / 51.18; -3.14 (Stogursey)	[18] [19]
	Stringston	Civil parish	116	Williton Rural District	51°11′N3°11′W / 51.18°N 3.18°W / 51.18; -3.18 (Stringston)	[19]
	Timberscombe	Civil parish	402	Williton Rural District	51°08′N3°32′W / 51.13°N 3.54°W / 51.13; -3.54 (Timberscombe)	[18] [19]
	Treborough	Civil parish	51	Williton Rural District	51°07′N3°25′W / 51.12°N 3.41°W / 51.12; -3.41 (Treborough)	[19]
	Upton	Civil parish	250	Dulverton Rural District	51°06′N3°26′W / 51.10°N 3.44°W / 51.10; -3.44 (Upton, Somerset)	[18] [20]
	Watchet	Town	3,785	Watchet Urban District	51°11′N3°20′W / 51.18°N 3.33°W / 51.18; -3.33 (Watchet)	[18] [22]
	West Quantoxhead	Civil parish	343	Williton Rural District	51°10′N3°16′W / 51.17°N 3.27°W / 51.17; -3.27 (West Quantoxhead)	[18] [19]
	Williton	Civil parish	2,607	Williton Rural District	51°10′N3°19′W / 51.16°N 3.31°W / 51.16; -3.31 (Williton)	[18] [19]
	Winsford	Civil parish	321	Dulverton Rural District	51°06′N3°34′W / 51.10°N 3.57°W / 51.10; -3.57 (Winsford, Somerset)	[18] [20]
	Withycombe	Civil parish	293	Williton Rural District	51°10′N3°25′W / 51.16°N 3.41°W / 51.16; -3.41 (Withycombe)	[18] [19]
	Withypool and Hawkridge	Civil parish	201	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	Civil parish	264	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

• Somerset portal

• Grade I listed buildings in West Somerset
• Quay West Radio

References

1. "Statistics & Census Information". West Somerset Council. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
2. "West Somerset (Local Authority): Key Figures for Physical Environment". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
3. "Maps chart UK's ageing population". BBC News. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
4. "West Somerset Online". Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
5. "Your New Council". Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
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. "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
19. "Williton RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
20. "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.

External links

• West Somerset District Council