Friday 18th October

Friday, 18 October 2024 07:34

By Steve Haigh

According to new government figures, Sixty-four thousand children in Somerset were not seen by an NHS dentist last year. Two by-elections will be held for seats on Somerset Council at the end of November. Supported employment schemes in Somerset say they’re seeing a good proportion of their students, who are disabled, going into paid work...and more.

According to new government figures, Sixty-four thousand children in Somerset were not seen by an NHS dentist last year. John Watt an NHS dentist in Somerset says that so many children not having their teeth regularly looked at will impact on other parts of the NHS.

Two by-elections will be held for seats on Somerset Council at the end of November. It follows the resignations of Councillors, Dixie Darch and Sarah Dyke as Liberal Democrat members for Rowbarton and Staplegrove and Blackmoor Vale respectively. Until the by-elections take place, all casework will be handled by the other division members for each area, with Councillor Derek Perry handling matters in Rowbarton and Staplegrove, and Councillor Nicola Clark handling Blackmoor Vale. Following the resignations, the composition of Somerset Council is Liberal Democrats 59, Conservative 33, Green Party 5, Labour 5, and Independent 6, with 2 seats vacant.

Supported employment schemes in Somerset say they’re seeing a good proportion of their students, who are disabled, going into paid work. It follows a House of Lords report calling for more to be done to help young disabled people get back into the workplace.

Somerset Council has signed an expression of interest in working more closely with Dorset and Wiltshire councils. The government is seeking the views of all three councils on finding common ground where they can collaborate on things like planning and transport. Last month, the councils submitted a request for devolution, calling themselves the "Heart of Wessex" but stressed this would not be a merger of the councils.

Organisers of the Yeovil Literary Festival say this year’s event will be their biggest ever. A number of pre-festival presentations take place today at Yeovil Library with the festival proper starting next Thursday.

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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,