Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, Andy Marsh.
The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, Andy Marsh, has officially stepped down after five years in the role. Highways England has given a start date for dualling the A303 in South Somerset. Construction will begin in September. A survey into an electric car-sharing scheme in South Somerset has shown a majority of people in favour of the idea. Children at the Castle School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon are to get more opportunities to express themselves through art.
The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, Andy Marsh, has officially stepped down after five years in the role. It’s been a tricky final year for the Chief Constable, with the pandemic, the toppling of the Edward Colston statue, and the ‘Kill the Bill’ riots in Bristol. Chair of the Avon and Somerset Police Federation, Ian Prideaux, says thanks to his leadership, the Avon and Somerset force remains in good shape. Meanwhile, Avon and Somerset Police are asking for comments on current policing issues in a new survey. Newly-elected PCC Mark Shelford wants to know people’s opinions on how the police are tackling crime and, in particular, anti-social behaviour. The survey’s open for comments via the Avon and Somerset Police website.
Highways England has given a start date for dualling the A303 in South Somerset. Construction will begin in September on turning the stretch between the Sparkford and Podimore roundabouts into a dual carriageway. Work on the scheme, costing £250 million pounds, is expected to take two years to complete.
A survey into an electric car-sharing scheme in South Somerset has shown a majority of people in favour of the idea. The survey, organised by the District Council, showed 60 per cent of respondents would use the car-sharing scheme for shopping, running errands and day trips. Several others said the scheme would mean they would not need to own a car.
Paintbrushes at the ready! Children at the Castle School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon are to get more opportunities to express themselves through art. It follows the awarding of £1500 in extra funding by Artsmark SPARK to widen the teaching of art subjects.
The Liberal Democrat Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, says they had no choice but to ask the government to allow them to lift the 5 percent cap on raising Council Tax. Two teenagers have been released on bail following the stabbing in Yeovil. More than six thousand pounds has been awarded to local groups by Chard Carnival Committee...and more.
Somerset has been permitted to increase its Council Tax share by 7.5 percent. An Ilminster man, forced out of his house by last week's floods, says he doesn't know when he will be able to return home. Ilminster Literary Festival has launched its annual children’s writing competition, designed to encourage local children to write creative literature...and more.
Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with a stabbing in Yeovil. Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP... and more.
A teenager has been arrested following a stabbing in Yeovil. Water bills in Somerset are set to go up on average by £123 from April. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance will officially open Yeovil’s new outdoor performance space later today...and more
Lloyds bank is closing its branch in Chard. A Sherborne man has been jailed after defrauding a Yeovil woman of £40,000. A volunteer group in Chard is urging people to sign up to a flood victims register. A councillor in Shepton Mallet has become the first Reform UK member on Somerset Council... and more
New mums in Somerset could soon be offered a cervical screening test six weeks after giving birth. Police are asking for help in finding a Yeovil man wanted on recall to prison. The government has given half a million pounds towards planting more trees in Somerset, including 100 new trees in Yeovil...and more
Work continues to clean up from the floods in Chard, Ilminster, Somerton, South Petherton, and parts of Yeovil. A man who threatened to kill a support worker at the mental health unit in Yeovil has been sentenced to a community order. A competition that gives new musicians the chance to play at this year's Glastonbury festival has opened for entries...and more
A major incident has been declared by Somerset Council to ensure a multi-agency response to the flash flooding that's affected Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, South Petherton and parts of Yeovil. Police believe a 4x4 pick-up truck, found submerged in the River Yeo at Yeovilton at the weekend, may have been stolen. An appeal to raise £2 million to restore the Grand Organ at Wells Cathedral has raised over £1 million in less than 18 months...and more
Wednesday 5th February
Tuesday 4th February
Monday 3rd February
Friday 31st January
Thursday 30th January
Wednesday 29th January
Tuesday 28th January
Monday 27th January
