Local News Thursday 16th June

Thursday, 16 June 2022 06:00

Egg producers in Somerset are calling for more recognition of the financial difficulties facing the sector. An online petition has been launched to protect Langport’s historic Hanging Chapel from further damage. The post of Chief Executive at the new Somerset unitary council will be advertised with a salary of up to £200,000. Taxi drivers in South Somerset have applied for an increase in the fares they charge. Taxis drivers in South Somerset have applied for an increase in the fares they charge...and more.

Egg producers in Somerset are calling for more recognition of the financial difficulties facing the sector. Producers say they’re considering shutting down due to rising energy costs and the price of hen feed. The British Free Range Egg Producers Association is warning of shortages unless supermarkets pay producers more than the cost of production.

An online petition has been launched to protect Langport’s historic Hanging Chapel from further damage. The Grade-1 listed structure has been hit several times in the past few months by vehicles that are too high or too wide to pass through its archway. Locals describe the hanging chapel, which dates back to the 13th centenary, as a ‘jewel in the crown’ and want high-sided and heavy vehicles banned from using it.

Photo: A lorry wedged in The Hanging Chapel, Langport, in 2020

The post of Chief Executive at the new Somerset unitary council will be advertised with a salary of up to £200,000. Councillors met yesterday to agree on the pay package, rejecting a recommendation the post should be advertised at £230,000 a year. The Chief Executive of the new Somerset Council will be responsible for running all local council services when the new 'one council' comes into existence next April.

Taxi drivers in South Somerset have applied for an increase in the fares they charge. The district council is being asked to put up rates by 17 percent. It would mean a typical two-mile ride costing £7.60 compared to £6.50 at present. The district council is under pressure to make a quick decision to prevent operators, who are facing higher fuel costs, from going out of business.

Police have renewed their appeal to find a missing Yeovil man. 40-year-old Matthew went missing two weeks ago after boarding a train at Pen Mill station. It's thought he travelled to Brokenhurst in the New Forest but hasn't been seen since, or contacted his family and friends. Here's a picture of Matthew, if you see him, please call 999.

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Thursday 13th March

A new campaign has been launched to persuade people in Somerset to stop smoking. Four people have been arrested in Chard in connection with the supply of Class A drugs. A dog from Yeovil has won the title of ‘best in breed’ at Cruffs....and more.
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.