Local News Friday 9th September

Friday, 9 September 2022 06:00

Senior figures in Somerset have been paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth following her death aged 96 yesterday. All schools in Somerset are expected to become academies by 2030 under a new government policy. Families in Somerset could benefit from a new epilepsy specialist nurse...and more.

Senior figures in Somerset have been paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth following her death aged 96 yesterday. Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Annie Maw said the country had lost one of the greatest people of our age. She had set an exemplary example of devoted service and against so many odds her message had always been one of peace, unity and partnership. The nation has lost someone without whom life would never be the same. On behalf of the people of Somerset, the Chairman of Somerset County Council, Councillor Mike Best, offered his deepest sympathies to the Royal Family. In Yeovil, a book of condolence has opened at St Johns Church.

All schools in Somerset are expected to become academies by 2030 under a new government policy. The Department for Education outlined its plans for Somerset’s remaining council-controlled schools to become academies within eight years in a white paper. At the moment, Somerset has 130 academies that are run as multi-academy trusts rather than by Somerset County Council. Families in Somerset could benefit from a new epilepsy specialist nurse, based at Yeovil Hospital. Emma Christie has been appointed to the role, which is funded by ‘Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity’.

Former Somerset cricketer James Hildreth is getting a stand named after him at the county ground in Taunton. He retired last month, after playing for the club since 2003. The River stand will be renamed the James Hildreth Stand in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the club.

South Somerset District Council has launched a public consultation into the provision of outdoor play and youth facilities across the district. The Council says it wants to better understand the supply and demand of facilities, including their quality and availability. You can take part in the questionnaire, which is open to October 18th, via the South Somerset District Council website.

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Wednesday 12th March

A charity in Somerset is appealing for support after one of its sites was vandalised. The Leader of Somerset Council has been to Westminster to put the case for central government to provide councils with more money. A new primary school is to built in Chard.... and more
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.