Local News Thursday 22nd July

Thursday, 22 July 2021 06:56

Somerset is to be run by ONE council with a single county-wide unitary authority being the government’s preferred option for the future of local government in Somerset. Visit Somerset says the so-called "pingdemic" is causing chaos for the tourism sector. The County Council is bidding to win millions of pounds in extra funding to improve bus services in Somerset. Plans have been submitted for an equestrian centre with horse gallops in Crewkerne...and more.

Somerset is to be run by ONE council with a single county-wide unitary authority being the government’s preferred option for the future of local government in Somerset. In a written statement, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, rejected a rival suggestion from the county's four district councils to set up two separate councils - one in charge of the east of the county, the other covering the western half. It’s expected that elections for the new council will be held next year with the new unitary authority coming into being in April 2023.

Visit Somerset says the so-called "pingdemic" is causing chaos for the tourism sector. Holidaymakers are having to cancel their stays due to being pinged by the NHS Test and Trace app - which is also impacting businesses who have staff off work self-isolating. The government says from the 16th of August people who have been fully vaccinated will not have to self-isolate if they're pinged. But John Turner from Visit Somerset thinks that's too late in the holiday season.

The County Council is bidding to win millions of pounds in extra funding to improve bus services in Somerset. The government is making £3 billion available to support a new National Bus Strategy that local councils can apply for a share of. Somerset County Council is now drawing up a blueprint for future bus service provision in the county for submitting to the government.

Plans have been submitted for an equestrian centre with horse gallops in Crewkerne. If approved by South Somerset District Council, the centre would be built at Peckmoor Farm, Henley Cross in Crewkerne.

Chard has been chosen again to host the annual British Disabled Strongman championships. Gary Clarke, who founded the competition in 2015, will stage the event at Holyrood Academy on Sunday, September 5th.

As South Somerset remains under an amber alert for extreme heat this morning, the NHS is advising that elderly people drink extra water and young people get themselves fully protected against sunburn.

More from News

Friday 14th August

Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
Thursday 13th August

An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more
Wednesday 12th August

Experts say with good visibility forecast for this evening, people across Somerset should have some of the best views of the solar eclipse anywhere in the UK. A Somerset councillor is calling for the Stop Line cycle route between Chard and Ilminster to be better supported. It's 40-years ago this week since a Lynx helicopter built in Yeovil set a new World Helicopter Speed Record... and more
Tuesday 11th August

Wessex Water says a hosepipe ban is possible if customers fail to cut their water usage. A record number of illegal dog fights were reported in Somerset last year. Yeovil Town's Mason Obeng has won the traditional sack of potatoes, given to the player who scores Yeovil's first goal of the new season, as a lucky omen... and more
Monday 10th August

A local councillor claims anti-social behaviour is putting people off coming into Yeovil town centre. South-West Water has announced a hosepipe ban in the Chard area. Great Western Railway has apologised after a wheelchair user from Chard became stuck at one of its stations... and more
Friday 7th August

Chard's biggest employer, Numatic International, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, has announced job cuts. A new Neighbourhood Plan for Hatch Beauchamp has officially been adopted. Two historic artefacts taken from Glastonbury Abbey more than 70 years ago have been returned...and more
Thursday 6th August

A local man and convicted former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to stand in Crewkerne South in next year’s local elections for a seat on Somerset Council, has pulled out after a backlash against his candidacy. A charity that runs children's homes in Somerset is terminating its contract early following a critical report by Ofsted...and more
Wednesday 5th August

Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner is backing the wider use of police drones in towns like Yeovil to help tackle crime. Visitor numbers at Somerset's tourist attractions are down by around sixty per cent so far this year. A gardening expert says it'll take much more than the occasional shower to revive Somerset's parched lawns, parks and open spaces...and more