Council spending | South Somerset District Council

Our spending reports

Our spending reports for previous years only include data for 'spends' over £500, as required by Government. For this reason, you will notice a fewer number of transactions and a lower spend value compared to our most recent year's report. This is due to the change in what we have chosen to publish and not necessarily do to an increase in spending.

View our previous reports below:

Spending over £500 2017/18

Spending over £500 2016/17

Spending over £500 2015/16

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

Detailed below are some spend areas that require a little more explanation, we have attempted to cover most of the significant areas that look interesting, however, as with such a big amount of data its inevitable that some other areas could exist that on the face of the spending data look " worthy of more explanation"

Where can I find information on Council contracts and procurement?

For more information on our procurement and contracts visit our procurement page.

Under Utilities, heading "Other" Windmills and Wind power equipment value £32,550.00.

Explanation, whilst this shows as a spend against the councils a large proportion of the cost was recouped from Grants from Central Government and a major Energy supplier the actual cost to the councils was less than £15K.

Under Utilities, Water Companies a very large spend of £154,247.00 shows in the data.

Explanation, the number is distorted compared to other district councils, primarily due to the council owning and running its own swimming pool and this has a high cost in terms of water and effluent charges.

Facilities management, Security, Security Services, large spend of £142,827.00

Explanation, due to the categorisation our cash collection spends has been lumped in with Security Services. A large proportion of this spend is on our cash collection contract which covers collection and delivery of cash from all council offices ands more importantly all public car parks.

Arts and Leisure Services has a collective very large spend of £606,732.00.

Explanation, this council has a well-regarded local Theatre and this spend reflects the investment in this valued local services.

Catering, Food and Beverages, Brewers with a substantial spend of £21,198.00.

Explanation, we have a theatre with a bar and the spend with St, Austell Brewery is for bar stocks sold to the public

Furniture and soft Furnishings, Office furniture and equipment, has a large spend of £62K.

Explanation, although listed as furniture, includes all the office suppliers that the council has used including paper etc.

We have provided explanations to the most obvious and largest spend areas undoubtedly others small spend areas may look interesting, the council will be more than happy to answer such questions as they arise.

Payment Performance Statistics

Under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 we are required to publish data demonstrating compliance with the obligation to pay invoices within 30 days to first tier suppliers/prime contractors over the previous 12 months.

Finance Year	% of invoices paid within 30 days
2017/18
2016/17	97%
2015/16	97%

No interest was paid to suppliers due to late payment.

Government Procurement Cards

In accordance with the Transparency Agenda, South Somerset District Council wishes to fully and correctly engage with and support central government policy to make as much of the spending decisions we make available to public scrutiny.

You can view cards spending reports below:

Transaction from 24 March 2022 to 23 June 2022

Transaction from 24 December 2021 to 23 March 2022

Transaction from 24 September 2021 to 23 December 2021

Transaction from 24 June 2021 to 23 September 2021

Transaction from 24 March 2021 to 23 June 2021

Transaction from 24 December 2020 to 23 March 2021

Transactions from October 2020 to 23 December 2020

Transactions from April 2020 to September 2020

Transactions from October 2019 to March 2020

Transactions from April 2019 to September 2019

Transactions from October 2018 to March 2019

Transactions from April 2018 to September 2018

For more information on our procurement and contracts visit our procurement page.

Central Government

Central Government's Transparency Agenda also allows you to see a whole range of information and publications. For more information, visit the Cabinet Office Transparency page online.