Local News Thursday 12th January

    Average council tax bills in Somerset are set to rise by £78 a year when the new Somerset unitary council comes into being, replacing the county council and four district councils in April. Night-time buses are expected to start running in Somerset from Monday, January 23rd. A famous Somerset drink has been featured in the new Sam Mendes film Empire of Light...and more.

    Average council tax bills in Somerset are set to rise by £78 a year when the new Somerset unitary council comes into being, replacing the county council and four district councils in April. A number of major capital projects, like the planned regeneration of Wincanton town centre, have been put on hold to help cut spending at the new council by £40 million a year. 

    Night-time buses are expected to start running in Somerset from Monday, January 23rd. A late bus will operate between Taunton and Chard up to 10.30 pm Monday to Saturday. The routes, that are being subsidised by Somerset County Council, are aimed at getting more people to use public transport.

    A famous Somerset drink has been featured in the new Sam Mendes film Empire of Light. Babycham, produced by the Showerings family in Shepton Mallet, makes an appearance in the movie, starring Olivia Coleman and Colin Firth, and set in the 1980s when Babycham was at its most popular. 

    Parish councils along the A358 Ilminster to Taunton road are hoping their concerns will be taken into account during the period of the delay involving a planning application to turn the road into a dual carriageway. National Highways has decided to look again at the impact the project will have on the environment and not submit the planning application for widening the road until the review has been completed. Chairman of West Hatch parish council, Councillor Keith Read claims that dualing the A358 will be highly detrimental to the local environment.

    More from News

    • Thursday 29th January

      Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more

    • Wednesday 28th January

      Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more

    • Tuesday 27th January

      Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more

    • Monday 26th January

      A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more 

    • Friday 23rd January

      New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.

    • Thursday 22nd January

      A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more 

    • 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

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 8°C | Low: 6°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 8°C | Low: 5°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 8°C | Low: 5°C

    • Somerton

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 8°C | Low: 5°C

    • Wincanton

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 7°C | Low: 6°C

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