Local News Thursday 12th January

Thursday, 12 January 2023 at 06:00

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.

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Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
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