Which Council Does What?

Which Council Does What?

Unless you know your way around local government, it can be quite confusing to work out who does what.

So, if you are unsure and you need some guidance, please don’t hesitate to call us and we will help to point you in the right direction.

On 1st April 2023, Somerset became a Unitary Authority, meaning that the vast majority of services are managed and provided by Somerset Council. This move will allow Somerset to have a stronger, clearer voice both nationally and internationally. For more information on the what Somerset Council looks after, click here.

Below are bullet point lists of some of the services for which each council is responsible. They are not exhaustive.

Wellington Town Council

For more information on our services please visit our Council Services page.

Parks and open spaces
Grass cutting
Weed spraying
Allotments
Bus Shelters
Public seating and street furniture
Acting as consultees for planning applications within the Town’s boundaries
Play areas and play equipment at Richards Close and Burchills Hill
Grants to help local organisations
Neighbourhood planning
Minor highways functions, such as some vegetation clearance
Provision of litter bins (Emptied by Somerset Council)
Provision of dog litter bins (Emptied by Somerset Council)
Public toilets
Pop-Up Shop on Fore Street for budding businesses and charities
Maintenance and future planning for the Green Corridor
Hiring out the town centre promotional space
Christmas lights and their annual switch-on
Emergency planning
An Open Spaces Team
Town Centre hanging baskets and flower beds

Somerset Council

Household refuse collection and recycling
Car parks
Council Tax and Business Rates collection
Housing services
Determining planning applications
Setting planning policies
Community centres
Fly tipping
Emptying and maintenance of litter bins
Emptying and maintenance of dog litter bins
Cemeteries (Rockwell Green)
Licensing of pubs/clubs and public festivals
Street trading licences
Housing and Council Tax Benefits
Holding elections
Environmental Health
Street cleaning
Leisure services
Schools and Education
Roads and Transport
Street lighting (on adopted roads)
Fire & Rescue services
Public safety
Youth services
Children’s social care
Adult social care
Public libraries
Public footpaths
Waste disposal and management (currently delegated to the Somerset Waste Partnership)
Trading Standards (currently jointly provided with Devon County Council)
Registration of births, marriages, and deaths