Council leader Cllr Mike Bell attacks Weston Reform “lies and misinformation”

Leader of North Somerset Council, Cllr Mike Bell has issued a scathing statement against the Weston-super-Mare branch of Reform after they claimed £650,000 had been spent by the council on catering in a social media post about council expenditure.

Weston Reform Facebook post that Cllr Mike Bell challenged (Photo: Reform UK - Weston)

Cllr Mike Bell said; “Reform UK are back at it with their politics of lies and misinformation that trash services people rely on.

They talking about “£650,000 catering” when the facts are that this is mostly services like meals on wheels and community meals for older residents, food for children in council nurseries, and event supplies for a community venue that helps bring income in. Calling that “catering” is deliberately trying to con people - right out of the Farage/Trump playbook.

The tough choices in North Somerset we face on council tax are driven by rising demand and costs in adult social care, children’s social care, and SEND. We're hampered by the failure of Conservative and Labour governments to fund our services fairly or fix social care. That is where the pressure is.

If Reform UK want a serious conversation, bring facts and a plan. If the plan is cuts to care, SEND support, or meals for older people and young children, then be honest with residents about it.”