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.
The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting council jobs. Speaking at an audit committee meeting, Mr Sharkey said senior managers “got it wrong” when they axed more than 500 jobs across three departments in the past 12 months. He said money from reserves was now being used to rebuild the housing team, which was “no longer big enough to deal with the current workload”.
Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke is asking the government to provide clarity over the type of animal licence that visitor attractions, like the Somerset Reindeer Ranch, should have. Ms Dyke is shortly to present a parliamentary bill on the issue after the Somerset Reindeer Ranch at Chilthorne Domer was told it would need to obtain a zoo licence, which would cost many thousands of pounds, to remain open.
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to raise funds for a second helicopter. The Second Heli Appeal aims to raise £1 million toward the £10 million required to purchase and equip the new aircraft.
Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme to inspire young people to take up careers in agriculture. With fewer than 5% of working farmers aged under 35, Mr Dance is concerned that Somerset could lose the next generation of farmers if careers in farming are not made more accessible. He says the ‘Farm First’ scheme would give young people a clear route into agriculture, with the training and confidence to build a future in the sector.
The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more
Friday 13th March
Wednesday 11th March
Tuesday 10th March
Monday 9th March
Friday 6th March
Thursday 5th March
