Midsomer Norton Town Council is facing a £10,000 black hole in their finances, despite the financial year only just beginning, with news that their insurance premiums are set to rise to £17,011.58.

The Agenda for Monday's Town Council meeting, the last before the May elections, includes a reference to the insurance renewal and the ratification of existing provider, James Hallam. However, the paper notes that "additional savings of around £10,000 will need to be identified during the financial year to help meeting the significantly increased insurance costs."

In the 2022/23 financial year the Town Councils insurance had cost £7,277 an increase of £2,003 from the previous financial year. However this year's increase is 134%, and questions will inevitably be raised about the council's ability to manage the public finances effectively.

It is unclear why the increase in the Town Council's insurance premiums is so high, but at an earlier meeting councillors were told that the usual insurance for heritage buildings, like that given by Ecclesiastical, could not apply since the Town Hall was being renovated.

Nub News approached the company for comment but they did not respond.

Minutes from the March 6 Full Council meeting show that Councillors agreed to give delegate authority to the Locum Town Clerk to review the Town Council's insurance requirements, and to appoint a suitable insurance broker.

The meeting on Monday will be at 7pm in the council rooms next to the library. The full agenda of the meeting, with the public encouraged to attend is HERE and councillors will also get an update on how work at the Town Hall is going.