Friday 27th October

Friday, 27 October 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council has been warned that it could effectively go bankrupt within four months if current forecasts come to fruition and no corrective action is taken. Plans to build twenty-eight new homes at Tintinhull have been given the go-ahead. Huish Park will turn pink tomorrow when Yeovil Town play a National League fixture in aid of the Yeovil Breast Cancer Unit Appeal...and more.

Somerset Council has been warned by auditors that it could effectively go bankrupt within four months if current forecasts come to fruition and no corrective action is taken. Dr Marlene Davis, an expert in local government finance and an associate at the University of South Wales, says the financial problems at Somerset Council are becoming more widespread within local government.

A new Asda Express store has opened in Yeovil. The new outlet, on the site of the former Co-op petrol station on Sherborne Road, is one of 116 convenience stores and petrol stations acquired by Asda from the Co-op Group.

Plans to build 28 new homes at Tintinhull have been given the go-ahead by Somerset Council. The development, on the western edge of the village near the junction with Montacute Road, will be a short distance away from a new special needs school being constructed on the other side of the A303. Of the 28 homes, ten will be affordable, meeting Somerset Council's target of 35 per cent affordable housing for any new development of ten homes or more.

Huish Park will turn pink tomorrow when Yeovil Town take on Braintree Town in a National League South fixture. The game is being played in aid of the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal at Yeovil Hospital with Yeovil’s players kitted out in a pink strip. Much of the stadium will also change colour to pink, including the corner flags. Somerset-based TV celebrity, Sarah Beeny, who’s currently receiving treatment for breast cancer, will speak to the crowd to rally support for giving to the Breast Cancer Unit. Organisers say they need a further £30,000 to hit their target of two-and-a-half-million pounds to build the new unit and are hoping to raise that amount at tomorrow’s match.

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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,