Somerset Council to lose 14 councillors under new boundaries

By Laura Linham 4th Mar 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 4th Mar 2026

Somerset Council will be reduced from 110 councillors to 96 if new boundary changes are approved by Parliament.

The Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) has published its final recommendations following a review of electoral divisions across the county. If implemented, the changes will take effect in time for the May 2027 Somerset Council elections.

Under the proposals, there will be 90 single-councillor divisions and three two-councillor divisions across Somerset.

A spokesperson for the independent commission said the review was carried out "to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that division arrangements will help the council work effectively."

Chair of the LGBC, Bev Smith, said: "We considered all the comments people gave us on our recommendations for a new electoral map for the area and this has helped us to make changes.

"We believe the new arrangements will deliver electoral fairness while reflecting the needs and identities of local communities."

The review ran from 2024 until January this year, with 379 people and organisations submitting comments.

In Shepton Mallet, the town will be divided into two single-councillor wards: Shepton Mallet East and Shepton Mallet West & Pilton. The commission linked the west of the town with Pilton after concluding Shepton was slightly too small to justify two councillors on its own.

A new Rodney, Westbury & Wookey division will also be created, affecting parts of the wider Wells area.

Glastonbury will be split into two single-councillor wards: Glastonbury North & West Pennard and Glastonbury South & Meare. Surrounding villages including Meare, Sharpham and West Pennard will be grouped within those divisions.

Street will be divided into Street North and Street South, creating two single-councillor wards covering different parts of the town.

Elsewhere in Somerset, Frome will be divided into five wards separating urban and rural areas, while Burnham-on-Sea, Highbridge and Bridgwater will also see revised boundaries reflecting population changes and housing growth.

The commission said the changes are designed to ensure each councillor represents a similar number of voters across the county.

The recommendations must now be approved by Parliament. Somerset Council officers will then implement the new arrangements ahead of the May 2027 elections.