Local News Monday 17th January

Monday, 17 January 2022 07:17

Health managers in Somerset say they are encouraged by the declining cases of Covid. A Yeovil mother has appeared in court over her child not attending school. Somerset County Council has given its support to a quarry near Chard being expanded. Prince Andrew will no longer be the Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm. Two Somerset charities are to benefit from a grant scheme that ran over the Christmas period and Terry Skiverton has left Yeovil Town after 23 years service at Huish Park.

Health managers in Somerset say they are encouraged by the declining cases of Covid. All parts of Somerset have seen a slight fall in case numbers, however, Public Health consultant at Somerset County Council, Alison Bell says staff sickness is still having a big impact on local businesses.

A Yeovil mother has appeared in court over her child not attending school. The woman, who can’t be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a school attendance order. She was appearing with 5 other parents from other places in Somerset charged with the same offence and was fined £150 with £60 costs.

Somerset County Council has given its support to a quarry near Chard being expanded. Aggregate Industries UK want to extract an extra 830,000 tonnes of sand and gravel from their quarry at Chard Junction. As a majority of quarry site is in Devon, Devon County Council has been asked to make the final decision on the application.

Prince Andrew will no longer be the Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, headquartered at RNAS Yeovilton in South Somerset. It's one of several military titles and royal patronages the Duke has been stripped of as he faces a US civil action over sexual assault allegations, which he denies.

Two Somerset charities are to benefit from a grant scheme that ran over the Christmas period. The Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment, which helps the NHS to treat cancer patients, and Time is Precious, which helps sick children at home or in hospital, are both to receive £1000 from Ecclesiastical Insurance, following a public vote.

Terry Skiverton has left Yeovil Town after 23 years service at Huish Park. Terry, who has been a player and manager, and was most recently Assistant to Darren Sarll with Yeovil, has moved to a new role with a club in the EFL.

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Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more
Monday 19th January

The government is facing increasing pressure to clarify whether it will order new medium-lift helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. Somerset Council is spending £5 million on new laptops. A new singing group is being set up in Yeovil for people living with dementia...and more
Friday 16th January

The go-ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent a year. Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama being shown on Netflix from this week...and more
Thursday 15th January

The company behind a proposed tidal lagoon between Watchet and Minehead says it could create up to eight thousand jobs. A third councillor on Somerset Council has joined Reform UK. St Margaret's Hospice says this year’s Christmas tree collection scheme raised forty-seven thousand pounds...and more.
Wednesday 14th January

The union representing workers at Leonardo in Yeovil says it needs a clear answer from the government on whether the Yeovil factory will be awarded a contract to build new medium-lift helicopters for the RAF. Somerset Council says more support will be provided to foster carers. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels...and more
Tuesday 13th January

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more
Monday 12th January

Leonardo is threatening to shut its Yeovil factory. Somerset Community Foundation says there's still time to donate money to its Surviving Winter Appeal. The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging a number of special performances to mark its 50th anniversary...and more.