Local News Monday 7th June

Monday, 7 June 2021 07:15

More than three-hundred-and-sixty-thousand people in Somerset have now received their first Covid vaccine, according to new figures from NHS England. The result of a public poll on the shake-up of local government in Somerset is due to be announced today. Avon and Somerset Police are providing officers for the policing operation at the G7 summit in Cornwall later this week. South Somerset District Council has given a grant of £400,000 towards new emergency accommodation for homeless people in Yeovil...and more.

More than three-hundred-and-sixty-thousand people in Somerset have now received their first Covid vaccine, according to new figures from NHS England. They also say that in the latest age group to be given the jab, 30 to 34-year-olds, around a third of people have already been vaccinated.

The result of a public poll on the shake-up of local government in Somerset is due to be announced today. Polling closed on Friday on the plan to scrap Somerset’s existing five councils and replace them with one council to run all services in Somerset or two councils, one based on the eastern side of the county the other on the western side. The government says it won’t be influenced in making its decision by the outcome. The poll’s been funded by Somerset’s four district councils and described by Somerset County Council as a ‘waste of public money’.

Avon and Somerset Police are providing officers for the policing operation at the G7 summit in Cornwall later this week. It’s not been confirmed how many offers are being deployed but Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset, Mark Shelford, says helping at the G7 won’t affect policing levels in Somerset.

South Somerset District Council has given a grant of £400,000 towards new emergency accommodation for homeless people in Yeovil. The Pathways facility on Newton Road in Yeovil, which houses up to 30 people, is no longer considered fit for purpose. The new facility, on the outskirts of Yeovil, will have 39 en-suite rooms with kitchenettes, and communal space for group work and leisure activities.

Work starts this week on major repairs to the David Hall in South Petherton. The arts venue has been given grants totalling thirty-five thousand pounds to make the building safe, including blocking a leaking roof.

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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,