Local News Tuesday 14th September

Tuesday, 14 September 2021 06:00

The first families to be resettled in Somerset from Afghanistan are due to arrive in the County in about a month from now. he date of Monday, September 20th has been given for work to start on part-pedestrianising Westminster Street in Yeovil town centre. Garden waste collections have resumed across Somerset. Applications for secondary school places in Somerset for 2022 have opened. Families of young people with learning disabilities in Somerset are being invited to apply for funding...and more.

The first families to be resettled in Somerset from Afghanistan are due to arrive in the County in about a month from now, according to the County Council. This phase of the government’s ‘Warm Welcome’ programme is aimed at helping translators and others who assisted the UK military during the Afghanistan War. However Somerset County Council says, that currently, they don’t know how many Afghan families will come to live in the County.

The date of Monday, September 20th has been given for work to start on part-pedestrianising Westminster Street in Yeovil town centre. The improvements, that are part of Yeovil Refresh, include wider pavement areas, new street furniture, and improved street lighting. The scheme in Westminster Street, which is a year behind schedule, is expected to take nine months to complete.

Garden waste collections have resumed across Somerset. Somerset Waste Partnership suspended the service for 6 weeks due to staff shortages caused by Covid. Collections will be made on the usual day.

A Chard motorist has been fined £226 for driving at 96 mph in a 70 mph zone on the A303 near Wincanton. Wayne Thomas Lewis of Crowshute in Chard pleaded guilty to the charge and also had four penalty points put on his licence.

Applications for secondary school places in Somerset for 2022 have opened. Parents and carers ar being urged to apply for primary and secondary school places online through the County Council website. Applications for Secondary schools close on the 31st of October and primary schools close on the 15th of January.

Families of young people with learning disabilities in Somerset are being invited to apply for funding to take part in therapy sessions with horses. The grants are being offered through the Somerset Community Foundation. Its Chief Executive, Justin Sargeant, says animal therapy can make a real difference.