Local News Tuesday 14th November

Tuesday, 15 November 2022 06:00

The Deputy Leader of Somerset County Council, Councillor Liz Leyshon, says the Council is under great financial pressure to make big spending cuts. Plans have been approved to build a new operating theatre facility at Yeovil Hospital. There’s concern among health professionals in the South West that not enough people are coming forward for a Covid booster jab. Shopworkers in Somerset have been speaking out about the abuse they’re suffering at the hands of customers...and more.

The Deputy Leader of Somerset County Council, Councillor Liz Leyshon, says the Council is under great financial pressure to make big spending cuts. The County Council is already over-spent by £20 million in the current financial year, meaning that it will need to make significant savings to balance the books for when the new financial year starts in May next year.

Plans have been approved to build a new operating theatre facility at Yeovil Hospital. The modular theatre unit, measuring 507 square meters, will be built on the site of the staff car park in Higher Kingston. It’s the second major building project at Yeovil Hospital this year with work having already begun constructing a specialist breast care unit within the hospital grounds.

There’s concern among health professionals in the South West that not enough people are coming forward for a Covid booster jab. Only 57 percent of residents in the region, who are eligible for a Covid booster, have had one.

Shopworkers in Somerset have been speaking out about the abuse they’re suffering at the hands of customers. Their union, USDAW, says 7-in-every-10 of its members working in retail have reported being abused by customers this year so far, with some experiencing threats of violence. The union is asking the public to show its members more respect.

A florist’s shop in Ilminster has raised £500 to help support the cost of this year’s Christmas lights in Ilminster. Cottage Flowers put on a demonstration of festive flower arranging at the Warehouse Theatre to an audience of more than 100 last weekend. The switch-on of the Christmas lights in Ilminster takes place this Friday at 7 pm

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Wednesday 28th January

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Tuesday 27th January

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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
Monday 19th January

The government is facing increasing pressure to clarify whether it will order new medium-lift helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. Somerset Council is spending £5 million on new laptops. A new singing group is being set up in Yeovil for people living with dementia...and more