Local News Monday 14th November

Monday, 14 November 2022 06:00

A report just out says the new Somerset Council is facing a shortfall in its budget of £74.2 million pounds and that urgent savings will have to be made. A Yeovil car dealership is set to expand into an empty office block. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident in Kingsbury Episcopi. Unpaid carers in Somerset aren't getting the support they need. The Reverend Michael Beasley has been installed as the new Bishop of Bath and Wells...and more.

A report just out says the new Somerset Council is facing a shortfall in its budget of £74.2 million pounds and that urgent savings will have to be made. The new Council, which will replace the County Council and four district councils in Somerset, including South Somerset District Council, has already identified savings of £27.8 million but the report says for the budget to balance, further savings of £38.2million will have to be made. The Executive at Somerset County Council, who are overseeing the launch of the new unitary Somerset Council meet on Wednesday this week to consider ways in which further spending cuts can be made.

A Yeovil car dealership is set to expand into an empty office block. Yeovil Audi on the Houndstone Business Park has been given permission to extend into Brunel House which stands opposite its car showroom on the Houndstone Business Park. The permission includes a change of use on the building from offices to a vehicle repair facility.

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident in Kingsbury Episcopi. It happened on Tuesday, November 8th at around 7.40 am when a cyclist collided with a blue VW Golf in Dudmoor. Police want to hear from anyone with dashcam footage of either the car or cyclist before the accident.

Unpaid carers in Somerset aren't getting the support they need. A new report from Carers UK shows that many unpaid carers face difficulties getting NHS treatment for the people they look after and are struggling to pay their bills.

The Reverend Michael Beasley has been installed as the new Bishop of Bath and Wells. He’s the 80th Bishop to hold the office which is the third highest ranked position in the Church of England. His enthronement was held at Wells Cathedral at the weekend watched on by a congregation of 900.

£2,700 has been donated to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance thanks to the efforts of staff and customers at Plumbase in Yeovil. Plumbase, who have their bathroom showroom on the Pen Mill trading estate, raised the money through various events including a skittles and curry night, World Cup sweepstakes, and giving customers a free meat pie in return for a donation to the Air Ambulance.

A new exhibition of fashion in Somerset from the 1700’s onwards has opened at the Museum of Somerset. It features everything from utility wear from the post war era to a wedding dress made in 1910.

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Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.