Friday 17th November

Friday, 17 November 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council is calling on the government to take urgent action to fix the funding crisis in social care. Business activity across the South West stabilised in October, according to a new report from NatWest. The go-ahead has been given to build 35 new homes at Broadway, near Ilminster...and more.

The Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans is calling on the government to take urgent action to fix the funding crisis in social care. He’s written to the Levelling-up Secretary, Michael Gove, saying the current funding formula for local government does not reflect the actual costs involved in providing essential public services, in particular, social care. Earlier this month, Somerset Council, who are facing a funding gap of £100m in the next financial year, declared a financial emergency and plan to make big spending cuts to help balance the books. In his letter to the government, Councillor Revans says the Council’s overspend is not because of poor controls, but the increased costs of delivering essential services.

Age UK says people in Somerset need to be better prepared for the new digital landline rollout. The UK phone network is going digital by 2025 with landline phones working via a broadband connection, instead of analogue.

The Environment Agency says it is working ‘around the clock’ to minimise the flood risk with more rain forecast over the weekend. The EA is working with Somerset Rivers Authority and Somerset Council to manage the situation, with extra pumps brought into use on the Somerset Levels.

Business activity across the South West stabilised in October, according to the latest Business Activity report from NatWest. The Bank says the trend breaks four months of regional decline and contrasts with a dip in economic performance across the UK as a whole. The Business Activity Index, which measures month-on-month change in output for manufacturing and the service sector, reported stability in October at 50.1 per cent, compared to 47.8 per cent in September.

The go-ahead has been given to build 35 new homes at Broadway, near Ilminster. The scheme, on the north-western edge of the village, is less than one mile from the proposed Ding Meadow development, where 28 new homes are planned behind the Bell Inn. The properties are expected to range from two to four bedrooms in size, with 12 being affordable and five as bungalows.

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Tuesday 20th October

The NSPCC says sexual communication offences involving children in the South-West have more than doubled since the offence was introduced seven years ago. People in Somerset are being warned that artificial intelligence is being used to make homes look more attractive in estate agent’s photos. Yeovil Town replay their FA Cup 4th qualifying round against Leatherhead at Huish Park tonight.., and more
Monday 19th October

The Environment Agency says reservoir levels across Somerset are well below what they should be for the time of year. A former school building in Wincanton could be turned into a recording studio and arts venue. Families in Somerset are being reminded of the October 31st deadline to apply for school places ...and more
Friday 16th October

Parts of Somerset have been moved into the highest drought category to protect water supplies. A new group's been formed to try and save Taunton’s Brewhouse Theatre from closure.Tesco in Yeovil is recruiting for temporary staff for the busy Christmas period... and more
Thursday 15th October

Hate crime recorded by Avon and Somerset Police has risen to a record high. The Communication Workers Union claims postal workers in Somerset are leaving their jobs due to a controversial new delivery system. Four new Deputy Lieutenants have been appointed to support Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant... and more
Wednesday 14th October

Somerset Council says it can’t confirm whether new parking machines being installed across the county will be able to accept cash. The number of cloned cars seized have more than double in the past 3-years with Avon and Somerset Police recovering one fraudulent vehicle every week. The skull of a 50,000 year old Woolly Rhino found on the Mendips Hills has gone on a display at a museum in Wells...and more
Tuesday 13th October

Plans have been passed to build 760 new homes on the southern edge of Yeovil. Somerset Council has admitted it doesn't know how many young people are not in education, employment or training. An event is being held in Crewkerne for people looking for information about health and social care... and more
Monday 12th October

Two people were arrested on suspicion of racially motivated public order offences during an anti-immigration protest held in Yeovil at the weekend. Women in Somerset now have access to two brand new mobile breast screening units. A drought permit has been approved for Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor which is currently only 18% full...and more
Friday 9th October

A controversial new one-way traffic system in Bridgwater is to be changed back to a 2-way system. Plans to cut support funding to young carers in Somerset have been scrapped. A new website has been launched in Chard bringing together everything residents and visitors need to know about the town...and more