Local News Friday 11th November

Friday, 11 November 2022 06:00

The chair of the Somerset Association of Secondary Heads says national funding for schools needs to be "re-prioritised" towards rural areas like Somerset. Nurses in Somerset have voted for strike action in their dispute over pay. Firefighters were called out to nearly 1,000 local outdoor incidents during this summer’s exceptionally hot weather. A stretch of the A303 in South Somerset will close tonight for work to remove a temporary bridge...and more.

The chair of the Somerset Association of Secondary Heads says national funding for schools needs to be "re-prioritised" towards rural areas like Somerset. Mark Woodlock was responding to a county council report which says Somerset is now "clearly one of the weakest areas nationally" for its educational outcomes, from early years right through to GCSE results. In response, the Department for Education says it understands the challenges facing schools, driven by high inflation. It's providing schools with almost £54 billion this year in core funding, including a cash increase of £4 billion for this financial year. This is a 7% per pupil increase in cash terms across schools and for the provision of higher-needs education.

Nurses in Somerset have voted for strike action in their dispute over pay. Walkouts at local hospitals and community teams are expected to take place before the end of the year - but emergency care won't be affected. Lucy Muchina is the regional director of the Royal College of Nurses for the South West. The government says it has given a pay rise to nurses in line with the independent NHS Pay Review body’s recommendation.

Firefighters were called out to nearly 1,000 local outdoor incidents during this summer’s exceptionally hot weather. The exact number of call-outs was 974, which compares to the fire service attending 395 similar incidents in the same period last year. The summer of 2022 was recorded as the sixth driest ever in Somerset.

A stretch of the A303 in South Somerset will close tonight for work to remove a temporary bridge. The road will shut at 10 pm tonight between the Hazlegrove and Podimore roundabouts and not re-open until 5 am on Monday. Diversions will be in operation along the A359 and the A37.

Police are investigating an alleged assault on a woman near Ilchester. They say it happened last Thursday during the afternoon in Limington. Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

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Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more