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

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

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
Monday 14th September

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
Friday 11th September

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
Thursday 10th September

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
Wednesday 9th September

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
Tuesday 8th September

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
Monday 7th September

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
Friday 4th September

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