Local News Thursday 13th May

Thursday, 13 May 2021 06:00

David Fothergill leader of Somerset County Council

The Leader of Somerset County Council says he was disappointed but not surprised about how little was said in the Queen's Speech about planned changes to the social care system. Government plans to make the microchipping of cats compulsory have been welcomed by an animal charity in Somerset. A nurse from Yeovil has been speaking about singing alongside Rag 'n' Bone Man and Pink at the Brit awards...and more.

The Leader of Somerset County Council David Fothergill says he was disappointed but not surprised about how little was said in the Queen's Speech about planned changes to the social care system. The government used the speech to say proposals on social care reform would be "brought forward". Labour and other opposition parties - as well as some social care providers – have criticised ministers for not going further. County Council Leader, David Fothergill believes the government is still committed to reforming the care system.

Government plans to make the microchipping of cats compulsory have been welcomed by an animal charity in Somerset. Ministers pledged to ensure the "highest standards of animal welfare" in the Queen's Speech and a bill ensuring all cats are chipped was one measure included in the government's programme. Nikita Benney of Cat's Protection in Somerset says micro-chipping will help to cut down the number of pets that go missing.

A nurse from Yeovil has been speaking about singing alongside Rag 'n' Bone Man and Pink at the Brit awards. Natasha Ficarotta, who works at Yeovil District Hospital sang as part of the NHS choir on the song 'Anywhere Away From Here'. Natasha said weeks of rehearsals on Zoom went into making sure everyone gave their best at the live performance.

A South Somerset woman has created a set of toys to help children with complex needs to cope with the loss of a loved one. The wooden toys, which include figures of people, furniture and vehicles have been designed by Sarah Helton and are used by children who are unable to verbally communicate their feelings when a family member or friend dies.

More artistes have been added to the line-up of ‘Live at Worthy’. The event which has replaced this year’s cancelled Glastonbury Festival takes place online on Saturday, May 22nd. The new artistes set to perform include George Ezra and Yeovil’s PJ Harvey. Coldplay, Damon Albarn and Wolf Alice have already said they will be appearing.

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Friday 7th February

A Yeovil man has been fined £1,200 for sending hostile text messages to his ex-wife. A report into the performance of Avon and Somerset Police has found it doesn't answer emergency calls quickly enough. Twenty-two swimmers at the Trident Swimming Club in Chard have won places in this year’s Somerset County Swimming Championships...and more
Thursday 6th February

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a one-month-old baby boy in Chard. Kingfisher Primary School in Yeovil has been highly praised by Ofsted. Somerset Council says it’s “extremely disappointed” after its bid to form a devolved Wessex group of local councils was rejected by the government...and more.
Wednesday 5th February

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.
Tuesday 4th February

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.
Monday 3rd February

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.
Friday 31st January

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
Thursday 30th January

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