Somerset Council spent nearly £19m on consultants
By Laura Linham 26th May 2026
Somerset Council spent nearly £19m on consultants and external advisers in just three years, its leader has confirmed.
The figure was revealed at a meeting of Somerset Council's executive committee in Taunton on Monday, 6 May.
Council leader Bill Revans said the authority had spent £18.9m on consultants since April 2023.
That works out at around £6.9m a year, or under one per cent of the council's annual revenue budget.
The figure does not include agency staff used to deliver front-line services, such as social workers or occupational therapists.
The issue was raised by Anthony Betty, a former Conservative councillor on Sedgemoor District Council.
Mr Betty, who now works as a senior case officer for Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox and sits on Othery Parish Council, accused the council of becoming "heavily reliant" on external consultants.
He told the meeting: "We know this council has become heavily reliant on external consultants to guide its decisions, in much the same way a sat nav dictates every turn."
He asked for the council's total spending on external consultants and advisory support since April 2023, including costs already paid and those still committed.
Mr Revans said consultants were used in a "targeted and proportionate way".
He said their role was not to replace decision-making, but to support improvements, manage risk and deliver savings where specialist or short-term expertise was needed.
Mr Revans, who represents North Petherton, said all such spending was approved through the council's normal governance processes.
He added that spending over £500 is published quarterly on the council's website under the local government transparency code.
A full written response will now be provided to Mr Betty, including a breakdown by directorate or service area.
Mr Revans said the figure for 2025/26 was "significantly lower" than in the previous two years.
He said the need for external support was higher during local government reorganisation and the council's workforce restructure.
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