PLANS to switch to one all-powerful unitary authority in Somerset have won the backing of Chard Town Council.

Somerset County Council wants to merge itself with the county's five district councils - Taunton Deane, West Somerset, South Somerset, Mendip and Sedgemoor - in order, it claims, to save money, simplify the local government system and avoid duplication.

District councils have opposed the move saying it would lead to massive problems and leave local services in turmoil.

But town and parish councils have been told they will get more power and input into what happens in their own communities.

And that is something members of Chard Town Council want to seize with both hands.

Councillors met on Monday to decide what stance they would take on the on-going consultation into the unitary proposal and they came out in support.

Cllr Jill Shortland, a town councillor but also leader of the county authority, said: "It is in the best interests of Chard that we go along with this. A unitary authority will give this town council more duties."

Cllr Dave Keitch added: "I fully support the bid. Why are we afraid of a unitary authority and the extra powers and the extra spending coming down to this level? We should take on this mantle for the people of Chard."

But not all councillors were in favour of the move saying that one super power' would not be able to meet the demands of the whole of Somerset.

Cllr Jean Smith said: "No doubt this council will grasp the opportunity, but will a new unitary authority be able to effectively get down to grass roots? Somerset is the fourth largest county in the country and it is a vast and diverse area."

Cllr Dave Bulmer said: "I have deep reservations about this because a unitary authority would be too big. I don't think town and parish councils will be more involved because we quite simply haven't got the infrastructure to do so.

"This plan is too ambitious and we shouldn't support it. I can see massive problems in the years ahead."

But councillors voted 8-4 in favour of backing the unitary authority bid. A final decision on the bid is expected to be made by the Government in mid-July.