A prominent Somerset councillor was not able to attend a crucial budget vote because he was "stuck in traffic" coming back from London meetings about his general election campaign.

Councillor Adam Dance sits on Somerset Council's executive, holding the portfolio for public health, equalities and diversity, and is one of two Liberal Democrat councillors for the South Petherton and Islemoor division.

Mr Dance was selected in April 2023 as the Lib Dems' parliamentary candidate for the Yeovil constituency (which includes South Petherton), as the party seeks to recapture the seat from Conservative MP Marcus Fysh (who won the seat in 2015).

Mr Dance was not physically present when the council set its annual budget in Bridgwater on Tuesday (February 20) – a budget which included £35m of cuts to public services and the maximum possible council tax rise for Somerset residents.

Mr Dance said he was unable to attend in person due to being "stuck in traffic" travelling back from London from meetings the previous day surrounding his general election campaign.

One source within the Somerset Lib Dems – who did not wish to be named – said: "It is shocking that in place of providing any representation at Tuesday's full council meeting, which has been scheduled for almost a year, Councillor Dance was instead focussed on soliciting campaign contributions from donors at events and meetings held in London.

"Not only did he fail to provide representation for the residents who elected him to the new Somerset Council in May 2022, but his absence provided no voice and no objection for the sweeping cuts to services in the Yeovil xonstituency where he hopes to replace Marcus Fysh as the MP."

Under the council's meeting rules, only councillors which are physically present at meetings can vote on any proposal – including setting the budget.

Councillors who join the meeting visually via Microsoft Teams – a facility put in place during the coronavirus pandemic – can contribute to the debate but cannot vote.

Mr Dance said he had been virtually present in the meeting throughout its running time, but would not have been able to get to the Canalside conference venue to vote – and may not have been eligible to vote even if he had turned up in time for the revenue budget, which was approved during the afternoon session.

He said: "My team and I were in London on Monday night (February 19) at an event relating to the general election campaign.

"I felt it was unsafe to drive back with my team very late on Monday, so we stayed overnight with a further meeting early on Tuesday (February 20).

"As we left London we were delayed in traffic.  I was, however, listening in to the full council meeting.

"On reaching home I made the decision that, as my vote would not be crucial, it would look as though I had been called into the meeting because the outcome was uncertain.

"I did not want the opposition to sense any lack of certainty from our party. I was listening into the council discussion right through the meeting.

"I am confident I made the right call in the circumstances, and I am pleased that the budget vote was passed with a good majority."

The council's budget was passed by 52 votes to nine, with 31 abstentions.