New figures show that from the start of the year, black people were six times more likely than white people to be the target of a stop and search by Avon and Somerset Police. A housing developer is taking legal action against Somerset Council. A Somerset teenager hopes to break records when he sets off on a journey around the UK coastline in an electric boat...and more.
New figures show that from the start of the year, black people were six times more likely than white people to be the target of a stop and search by Avon and Somerset Police. It’s a small decrease from last year when black people were seven times more likely to be subjected to stop and search, and after the force was described as ‘institutionally racist’.
A housing developer is taking legal action against Somerset Council in a bid to prevent further delays to building 130 new homes on the Somerset-Dorset border. The Planning Inspectorate granted outline permission to Gladman Developments in 2018 to build up to 130 homes on Woodhayes Way in Henstridge. But Somerset Council has twice turned down the developer's proposals to improve the A357 that links with the development. The developer has now lodged a further appeal with the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to get the central government to sign off on its road improvements and allow building work to begin before the outline planning permission expires.
The ruling executive at Somerset Council meets next Monday to decide whether to pay waste contractor Suez an extra 47 million pounds. Suez says the pandemic, the roll-out of new services and inflation mean the cost of delivering services has far exceeded projections. A report to the council has looked at alternatives but concludes that paying Suez the extra money appears to be the least bad option.
A Somerset teenager hopes to break records when he sets off on a journey around the UK coastline in an electric boat. Harry Bleasley, who is 18, will start his charity fundraising challenge in the summer. Harry says using an electric boat, rather than one that is conventionally powered, will be challenging.
The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.
Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more
A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more
A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more
Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in Yeovil in which a man riding an e-bike was injured and later died in hospital. Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says the number of false alarm calls it receives is on the increase. A new micro-pub opens in Chard next week...and more
Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for more targeted support for schools in Somerset. Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident near Wells in which a cyclist died. Plans have been approved to convert a former care home in Yeovil into a house of multiple occupation...and more
A man from Yeovil has been jailed for stabbing another man in a pub in the town. Work is underway to help minimize the flood risk at Chard Reservoir. Plans have been submitted to build thirty-six new homes at Sparkford. A new Town Crier is needed in Glastonbury...and more
Work is underway to demolish the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with drink driving for a third time. Somerset Council has paid £35,000 in compensation for failing to deliver the right support to children with special educational needs. Another shop in Yeovil town centre is closing for good today...and more
Thursday 17th April
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