Monday 25th November

Monday, 25 November 2024 06:00

Yeovil's Octagon Theatre is to get a £10 million grant. Flood warnings remain in force today. The Conservatives have won a by-election to fill a vacancy on Somerset Council. A fraud investigation has been launched into a defence firm...and more.

Yeovil's Octagon Theatre is to get a £10 million grant that the previous Conservative government promised. The money was awarded to help pay towards upgrading the venue when it closed in April 2023. But with a change of government and Somerset Council declaring a financial crisis, doubts were raised that the funding might be withdrawn. Lead member for Culture at Somerset Council, Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, says confirmation of the grant is a positive step towards getting the Octagon re-opened.

Flood warnings remain in force today along the banks of the rivers Yeo, Brue, Parrett, and Isle following Storm Burt and the weekend’s heavy rain. The Environment Agency says properties in low-lying areas are at particular risk and advises owners to take appropriate preventative action.

The Conservatives have won a by-election to fill a vacancy on Somerset Council for the Blackmoor Vale division. Hayward Burt took the seat with 1,120 votes. Howard Ellard for the Lib Dems was second on 714 votes, Peter Ebsworth for the Greens was third on 86 votes, and Gregory Chambers for Labour was fourth on 32 votes. The turnout was 26.07%.

A fraud investigation has been launched into defence firm, Thales, who are based in Templecombe. Police raids of the company’s officers in Europe were carried out in June over suspicions of corruption linked to arms sales. Thales was awarded a 1.8 billion pound UK government contract in January to maintain Royal Navy ships and submarines, securing 300 positions in Templecombe. Thales has confirmed that an investigation has been launched.

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is to continue in his role as a councillor at Somerset Council despite having substantial additional duties to perform as a member of Parliament. Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke stood down as a member of Somerset Council after being elected to Parliament in June. Mr Dance says he’s staying on as a member of Somerset because the bulk of his casework relates to matters concerning Somerset Council.

An apprentice solicitor in Ilminster has been recognised for his good work at a top national award event. Russell Munster, based at Amicus Law Solicitors in Ilminster was highly commended in the 'Outstanding Employee of the Year' category and shortlisted for 'Rising Star of the Year' at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards held in Liverpool.

More from News

Wednesday 27th November

NHS Somerset says one hundred thousand people in the county have yet to receive the latest Covid booster jab. The road between Merriot and Lopen at Eggwood Hill remains closed following a landslip. Guests at a B&B in Cornwall can now book an overnight stay in a Lynx helicopter...and more.
Tuesday 26th November

A Somerset councillor has criticised government plans to relax the planning laws. A new group has been formed in Somerset aimed at cutting the number of motorcycle thefts. A retired Royal Naval Reserve Officer in Somerset has set a new Guinness World Record...and more.
Friday 22nd November

Somerset Council has provided rough sleepers with emergency accommodation due to the extreme cold weather of the past few days. Three men from Somerset, charged in connection with a series of burglaries, are due in court today. The Christmas lights get turned on in Ilminster tonight...and more
Thursday 21st November

Bus campaigners are warning that government funding to improve Somerset’s bus network could be lost if Somerset Council goes bankrupt. GPs in Somerset are calling on the government to protect them from planned National Insurance tax rises for employers. Luxury handbag maker, Mulberry, is cutting dozens of jobs, including here in our locality...and more
Wednesday 20th November

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, says he’ll vote in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill when it comes before Parliament later this month. Manor Court Primary School in Chard has been rated as ‘good’ following an OFSTED inspection. Forty-nine new homes are to be built at Broadway Hill in Horton, near Ilminster, following a successful planning appeal...and more
Tuesday 19th November

Somerset Council is investigating the source of a raw sewage leak at Limington, near Ilchester. Somerset has been given £7 million to improve local bus services. Chard Road Runners have donated three hundred rolls of wrapping paper to the Chard Christmas Present Appeal...and more
Monday 18th November

Nightspots in Yeovil are participating in a new initiative aimed at reducing crime and making people feel safer. A drop-in session is taking place in Chard this week for local people to ask questions about a new £2 million flood prevention scheme. The A303 eastbound between Ilchester and Podimore will be closed from 8 pm tonight until 6 am tomorrow...and more.
Friday 15th November

National Highways says the scheme to dual the A303 between Ilchester and Sparkford has been designed in the interests of motorists, horse riders, cyclists, and pedestrians. An investigation has been launched after a teenage girl was forced into a car in Wincanton. The number of children in Somerset being home-educated has nearly doubled since the Covid pandemic...and more