Local News Monday 6th February

Monday, 6 February 2023 at 06:00

A former senior employee at South Somerset District Council, dismissed from her post for gross misconduct, has dropped a legal challenge against the Council. Work has started improving electricity supplies to homes in Sherborne. Wincanton racecourse has dropped its formal dress code for all future race meetings. There's been a rise in the number of young people reporting concerns about violent or controlling relationships in Somerset.....and more.

A former senior employee at South Somerset District Council who was dismissed from her post for gross misconduct has dropped a legal challenge against the Council. Clare Pestell, formerly a Director of Commercial and Income Generation, left SSDC in late 2021 following an independent investigation that concluded she had breached the council's code of conduct by not declaring using council staff and resources at her private business. Ms Pestell denied the allegations and had been due to appear at an employment tribunal against the council in Exeter later this week.

Wincanton racecourse has dropped its formal dress code for all future meetings. The course is one of fifteen venues run by the Jockey Club to no longer insist that those attending meetings should wear certain types of clothing.

Work has started on improving electricity supplies to homes in Sherborne. Scottish and Southern Electricity is investing one-point-seven-million pounds in upgrading the Sherborne Primary Substation by replacing vital components including transformers, switchgear and circuit breakers. It says the upgrade will increase the strength of power supplies to ten thousand customers.

There's been a rise in the number of young people reporting concerns about violent or controlling relationships in Somerset. The Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service Helpline took 300 calls between April last year and January of this year – over the same period in 2021 the number of calls was 128.

Yeovil Town missed out taking all three points against Maidstone United at Huish Park at the weekend after conceding a late equaliser to the visitors. The game ended a 2-all draw.

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Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more