Local News Friday 30th June

Friday, 30 June 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Avon and Somerset Police have spent one-point-three-million-pounds on the planned changes to Yeovil Police station even before a new brick has been laid. Plans to build ninety-seven new homes in South Chard have been turned down. After a series of delays and a contractor going bust, work to improve Westminster Street in Yeovil town centre has now finished...and more.

Avon and Somerset Police have spent one-point-three-million- pounds on the planned changes to Yeovil Police station even before a new brick has been laid. Figures show the bulk of the money, eight-hundred-and-ninety-six thousand pounds, has been spent on consultants, architects and other professional fees. A further three-hundred-and-thirty-three thousand pounds has been spent renting temporary accommodation for the police to operate from while Yeovil Police Station remains closed.

Changes have been finalised to Somerset’s parliamentary boundaries. The area covered by Somerset County Council is divided into five constituencies and then there's North East Somerset which takes in Radstock and Midsomer Norton. The current six constituencies will become eight, to try and even out the number of voters in each area.

Plans to build ninety-seven new homes in South Chard have been rejected by councillors. The proposal to develop land in Perry Street was turned down because of concerns about road safety and over-development.

Avon and Somerset Police are to put more resources into policing the countryside. It comes as the National Farmers Union reports that higher inflation has led to an increase in rural thefts with the value of stolen farm equipment doubling in the last year.

West Country-based wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker says she's 'as hungry as ever for success' as she prepares for her thirteenth Wimbledon appearance. The paralympic silver medallist has been given a wildcard at this year’s championships and will compete in both the singles and doubles events.

After a series of delays and a contractor going bust, work to improve Westminster Street in Yeovil has now finished. Somerset Council says the installation of wider natural stone paving and street planters has refreshed the look and feel of Westminster Street in the town centre.

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Tuesday 11th March

The union representing workers at Somerset Council is warning of further job cuts at the council next year. Secondary school pupils in Somerset are being offered help to withstand peer pressure to vape or smoke. The bells of St George's Church in Hinton St George have been fully restored after becoming difficult to ring ... and more
Monday 10th March

A property in Raglan Terrace in Yeovil has been closed down by a court order after it was linked to anti-social behaviour. NHS Somerset says investing in nurse apprenticeships has helped to boost recruitment. A new community garden has opened in Chard.... and more
Friday 7th March

The Leader of Somerset Council has repeated his call for a reform of the way that councils are funded. Crimestoppers is stepping up efforts to help tackle violent crime in Somerset. A new radar satellite is playing a crucial role in collecting data about flooding in Somerset...and more
Thursday 6th March

Somerset Council has approved a seven-and-a-half percent increase in council tax. People are being asked to return boxes of paracetamol bought from Boots Chemists in Somerset. It’s been revealed that five members of staff at Somerset Council are being allowed to work from home outside the UK...and more
Wednesday 5th March

Somerset Council has been told that hundreds of millions of pounds in loans taken out by former district councils, including South Somerset, have to be paid back. A Somerset charity says it needs more volunteers to help with research into new treatments for dementia. A local shop owner has welcomed Somerset Council’s decision to scrap plans to charge for parking after 6 pm...and more.
Tuesday 4th March

The population of Somerset has reached record levels with nearly one in ten born outside the UK. Stanchester School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’. Experts have been called in to appraise a 15th-century piece of artwork in Sherborne...and more.
Monday 3rd March

A woman from Crewkerne has been fined £280 for assaulting two emergency workers. Plans have been announced to open new NHS dental surgeries in Chard and Crewkerne. A Yeovil man has been thanked for raising £10,000 for the cardiac charity Heartbeat...and more
Friday 28th February

A local man has been charged after allegedly driving a tractor while under the influence of alcohol. One hundred bikes, collected with household waste in Somerset, have been donated to charity. The junction of the A37 Ilchester Road and Stiby Road in Yeovil will again shut this evening for resurfacing...and more.