Local News Monday 9th January

Monday, 9 January 2023 06:00

South Somerset District Council is insisting that plans to regenerate Yeovil town centre will attract more shoppers. Plans have been submitted to change an empty office building in Yeovil town centre for residential use. The owner of a group of pharmacies in Somerset says they can't be expected to treat all the patients that are referred to them by GPs. People in Somerset are being urged to recycle their Christmas trees...and more.

South Somerset District Council is insisting that plans to regenerate Yeovil town centre will attract more shoppers. The Council has increased spending on smartening up the town centre by two million pounds, taking the budget for the Yeovil Refresh Project, which is already four million pounds over budget and two years behind schedule, to more than twenty-four million pounds. Business owners say they want the Council to adopt a change of approach and introduce incentives to attract new retailers into the town centre.

Plans have been submitted to change an empty office building in Yeovil town centre for residential use. The owners of the property in Market Street, opposite the Pall Tavern pub, want to convert it into flats and a two-bed house.

The owner of a group of pharmacies in Somerset says they can't be expected to treat all the patients that are referred to them by GPs. Under a new scheme, family doctors can direct people to chemists for a fee. Dr Tim Norbury, says it’s putting pharmacy staff under too much pressure.

People in Somerset are being urged to recycle their Christmas trees. Managing Director of the Somerset Waste Partnership Mickey Green says if people have a garden waste subscription with SWP, their tree will be taken away at no charge.

Plans have been submitted to convert the former Domestic Appliances shop at Old Town in Chard into a general convenience store. If approved, the new store would sell a range of goods including, food, publications and alcohol.

Community groups in Somerset are being invited to apply to the Thatcher’s Cider Apple Tree Project. As in previous years, the cider maker is giving away five-hundred trees to local community and voluntary groups to plant around the County.

The Dean of Wells, the Very Reverand Doctor John Davies is retiring. He started his tenure at Wells Cathedral in 2016. The Dean’s final service will be the Feast of Candlemas on the 2nd of February.

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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,