Local News Tuesday 8th June

    The result of a poll on changing local government in Somerset has come out strongly against one council to run all services in the county. Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh is calling on the government to stick with the plan to lift all covid restrictions by June 21st. The number of car journeys on Somerset's roads fell to a 17 year low last year with people making fewer journeys because of the pandemic. Bradfords Building Supplies in Yeovil has been voted ‘Builders' Merchant of the Year’ in the National Builders' Merchants Awards...and more.

    The result of a poll on changing local government in Somerset has come out strongly against one council to run all services in the county. Under the changes, Somerset’s five existing councils, including the County Council, would be replaced by one council or two councils, one based on the western side of the county, the other on the eastern side. Of the 111,000 people who took part in the poll, the one council option was rejected by more than two-thirds of voters. The result was 34.7 percent in favour of one council and 65.3 percent in support of two councils, the so-called ‘Stronger Somerset’ option. The result’s been sent to the Secretary of State for Local Government, Robert Jenrick, who will make the decision on the future shape of local government in Somerset but he’s said the poll, which was organised by Somerset’s four district councils, will not influence his decision.

    Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh is calling on the government to stick with the plan to lift all covid restrictions by June 21st. He believes enough people in Somerset have now been vaccinated for a return to normal life. Mr. Fysh says the country should not be held back every time a new covid variant emerges.

    The number of car journeys on Somerset's roads fell to a 17 year low last year with people making fewer journeys because of the pandemic. Somerset Green party campaigner, Shane Collins, Is hoping the changes in the way get about over the past 15-months are here to stay.

    A Chard woman caught shoplifting on three occasions has been given a one-year conditional discharge. Appearing before local magistrates, Sophie Plyer of Furzehill, Chard, pleaded guilty to stealing items from a shop in Crewkerne for which she was ordered to pay £104 compensation. She also admitted stealing from shops in Chard and in Axminster.

    Bradfords Building Supplies in Yeovil has been voted ‘Builders' Merchant of the Year’ in the National Builders' Merchants Awards. It’s the second year in a row that the title has been won by Bradfords, who have 43 branches across the South West with headquarters in Yeovil.

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    • Tuesday 9th December

      The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.

    • Monday 8th December

      Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more

    • Friday 5th December

      Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.

    • Thursday 4th December

      The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more

    • Wednesday 3rd December

      Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,

    • Tuesday 2nd December

      A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a serious assault in Wincanton. Fire crews have dealt with a house fire in the village of Pitney. Plans have been submitted to redevelop Bridgwater Docks into a cultural and tourist destination. Ilminster's annual Christmas tree festival has opened in the town...and more

    • Monday 1st December

      New figures show that crime in the Avon and Somerset police area rose by 8% in the year to June. South Western Railway has restarted running hourly services through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne following months of disruption. Persimmon Homes South West has donated £1500 towards the running costs of Castle Cary Rugby Club...and more

    • Friday 28th November

      Somerset Council has failed to stop 150 homes being built in Crewkerne. Posters of a drag act coming to Somerset, displayed in Shepton Mallet, have been vandalised. Avon and Somerset police are using proceeds from drug crime to fund community projects...and more,

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Heavy Rain

      High: 14°C | Low: 9°C

    • Chard

      Heavy Rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 8°C

    • Crewkerne

      Heavy Rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 8°C

    • Somerton

      Heavy Rain

      High: 14°C | Low: 8°C

    • Wincanton

      Heavy Rain

      High: 14°C | Low: 9°C

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