A half-a-billion pound budget has been agreed upon for the new Somerset Council. Caravan site owners in Somerset say this summer looks like being one of their busiest ever. Call handlers are being recruited to run the NHS 111 service in Somerset. A national clothing brand has opened a new warehouse and printing facility near Ilminster...and more.
A half-a-billion pound budget has been agreed upon for the new Somerset Council that replaces the county and four district councils on the first of April. The budget represents a near 5% rise in council tax - a typical Band D household in Somerset will pay £78 a year more in council tax. Around £17 million of the Council's budget will go towards the £29 million cost of upgrading the Octagon theatre in Yeovil.
Caravan site owners in Somerset say this summer looks like being one of their busiest ever for bookings. A survey of Caravan and Motorhome Club members suggests more people are booking caravan holidays and booking longer stays.
Call handlers are being recruited to work for the new provider of the NHS 111 service in Somerset. The contract to run the 111 helpline in Somerset has been won by HUC who currently operate the 111 service in the East of England. The company is seeking to employ several dozen new call handlers as well as clinicians, to support its service offer in Somerset.
A national clothing brand has opened a new warehouse and printing facility near Ilminster. Jolly Elephant, who claim their business is grounded in sustainability, has relocated to the Ilton Business Park.
Yeovil College Principal Mark Bolton has joined the Board of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. The role of the LEP is to support ways to improve the region’s economy and create new jobs.
Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more