Local News Tuesday 22nd February

Tuesday, 22 February 2022 06:00

Increases in labour and material prices have pushed up the cost of funding the regeneration of Yeovil town centre by a further £1.7 million pounds. Red Kites have been spotted in Somerset. Anyone who has taken part in Ilminster Carnival in the past is being asked to contact the organisers of this year’s Carnival and he date for holding this year’s Shindig Festival has been announced.

Increases in labour and material prices have pushed up the cost of funding the regeneration of Yeovil town centre by a further £1.7 million. It comes seven months after the South Somerset District Council voted to borrow a further £2.8 million to allow key parts of the scheme to begin, as planned. There are two separate budgets allocated for the Yeovil Refresh project, the capital budget (which covers new infrastructure such as roads and cycle lanes) and the revenue budget (which handles day-to-day project costs, including staff time and design work).
Under the proposals, the Yeovil Refresh capital budget will rise by £1,059,000 (funded through borrowing, bringing its new total to £21,838,000), while the revenue budget will rise by £606,000 to £1,994,000 (with the additional funding coming from the council's existing regeneration reserve). To finance the additional borrowing, the council will also increase its overall revenue budget by £44,000, bringing the total additional cost of the Yeovil Refresh programme to £1,709,000. The Yeovil Refresh project received around £9.75M from the government's future high street fund, which has to be spent in full by March 2024. In addition to the extra upfront funding, the council will also set aside £4,784,000 from its existing reserves, which will be used to replace any grant funding that has to be handed back to the government. Taking this new reserve into account, the council could end up spending an additional £6,493,000 on the Yeovil Refresh compared to its original budget.
The Yeovil Refresh funding proposals will come before the full council for final approval as part of its annual budget-setting meeting on February 28.

Red Kites have been spotted in Somerset. The bird of prey was nearly extinct but has been part of a long-running reintroduction programme in the Midlands. It's thought some of the birds have moved to Somerset for the farmland and hedgerows.

Anyone who has taken part in Ilminster Carnival in the past is being asked to contact the organisers of this year’s Carnival to help celebrate Ilminster Carnival’s 100th birthday. In particular, they’d like to hear from anyone who played the part of a king, queen, prince or princess. If you were part of the Ilminster Carnival in the past, please contact ilminstercarnivalcommittee@hotmail.co.uk they'd love to hear from you.

The date for holding this year’s Shindig Festival has been announced. The event, which hasn’t been held for 2-years due to Covid, will take place on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster from Thursday, May 26th to Sunday, May 29th. Organisers say the festival will be rammed with old favourites, plenty of new faces, and some very special collaborations

More from News

Wednesday 14th January

The union representing workers at Leonardo in Yeovil says it needs a clear answer from the government on whether the Yeovil factory will be awarded a contract to build new medium-lift helicopters for the RAF. Somerset Council says more support will be provided to foster carers. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels...and more
Tuesday 13th January

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more
Monday 12th January

Leonardo is threatening to shut its Yeovil factory. Somerset Community Foundation says there's still time to donate money to its Surviving Winter Appeal. The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging a number of special performances to mark its 50th anniversary...and more.
Friday 9th January

A Yeovil man has been arrested and then de-arrested after a collision in Dorset. A Somerset food manufacturer could be expanding its Wincanton base. A new dementia-friendly choir has been launched in Yeovil...and more.
Thursday 8th January

Adam Dance MP is welcoming developments in his campaign to support neurodivergent schoolchildren. Somerset was the star of the small screen last night, thanks to BBC comedy ‘Can You Keep A Secret’. A Yeovil gymnastics club has hosted a VIP guest...and more.
Wednesday 7th January

Somerset's Lib Dem MPs have described a one per cent rise in Council funding as 'profoundly disappointing'. A new independent cinema will open next month in Wincanton. We’re facing the chance of heavy snow with Storm Goretti hitting the region on Thursday...and more.
Tuesday 6th January

The Poundland chain has confirmed its store closures, including one of the Yeovil branches next Friday. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been awarded an OBE for her outstanding contribution to rugby. Nearly one hundred new low-cost homes could be coming to South Chard...and more.
Monday 5th January

A woman has been cut free from her car after a four-vehicle collision in Montacute. Devon and Somerset fire crews have been praised for their bravery, following the summer wildfires. More new homes are set to be built in Martock, following approval from Somerset Council...and more.