Thursday 23rd January

Thursday, 23 January 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil Town Council has defended its decision to increase its share of the Council Tax by an average of £80. A man who drove an e-scooter in Yeovil while disqualified from driving has been jailed for six weeks. According to new data, the Yeovil driving test centre is the 12th easiest in the UK to pass a driving test...and more

Somerset's Town Councils have been defending big increases in their share of council tax bills. The increases, which come into force in April, range from as little as £4 in Minehead to £51 in Burnham and Highbridge, with one of the biggest hikes in Yeovil, where the Town Council is putting up its share of the Council Tax by an average of £80. Town Councils like Yeovil say the increases are necessary to pay for running services they've taken on from Somerset Council to avoid Somerset Council going bankrupt.

A man who drove an e-scooter in Yeovil while disqualified from driving has been jailed for six weeks. David Bailey, of no fixed address, appeared before local magistrates and was charged with theft from a Tesco Express. Bailey was also given six points on his licence but was let off paying for the stolen items due to his lack of means.

Somerset Council says it’ll be another two months before work starts properly demolishing buildings in Glovers Walk in Yeovil. The Council says work clearing the site is being concentrated at the moment on internal demolition, with hoarding put in place to make the area safe and access to the bus station from Middle Street closed off to the public.

There’s good news for anyone planning to take a driving test in Yeovil. According to new data, the Yeovil driving test centre is the 12th easiest in the UK to pass a test. Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency for the final quarter of last year, show the average pass rate in Yeovil was 61 percent, compared to the national average pass rate of 48 percent. Dorchester Driving Test Centre was fourth on the list for having the highest pass rate.

A Somerset dental surgery has come top at the 2024 Loo of the Year Awards. Trust Dental Practice in Street won the Best Loo Award in the Healthcare sector for having the best loo nationally. Owner of Trust Dental, Doctor James Main, says the win is extra special as they are the first dental practice in the UK to win a Best Loo Award.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,