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.

    More from News

    • Thursday 27th November

      A new NHS dentist in Chard will start seeing its first patients next Tuesday. The go-ahead has been given to install five new lighting and CCTV columns on Milfield Road in Chard. Work is to start in January, replacing ageing traffic signals at the A39 junction with Clarks Village in Street...and more

    • Wednesday 26th November

      Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, belonging to the Unite union, have accepted a new pay offer of 8% over two years. Yeovil Town has appointed a new first-team Manager. A new NHS dental practice is due to open in Chard next month...and more

    • Tuesday 25th November

      Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, is calling on the Chancellor to deliver ‘real economic growth’ for Yeovil in her budget tomorrow. The government has given Yeovil College £2 million to upgrade its engineering facilities. A Chard-based charity has sent 7,000 boxes filled with Christmas gifts to Ukraine...and more.

    • Monday 24th November 

      A church leader has warned that “irrevocable damage” will be caused to town centres if Somerset Council starts charging for Sunday parking. Fifty new homes are to be built in Castle Cary following a successful planning appeal. A call has been made for a memorial to the victims who died in a plane crash on the Blackdown Hills 80 years ago...and more.

    • Friday 21st November

      A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford. Fire crews have put out a small blaze at Tesco in Ilminster. Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight... and more.

    • Thursday 20th November

      Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide funding for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap...and more

    • Wednesday 19th November 

      Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for stronger preventative measures to stop sewage discharges into local waterways. Somerset Council is to provide three new children's homes across the County. Street Football Club has appointed a father-and-son team to manage the club... and more.

    • Tuesday 18th November

      Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain shower

      High: 13°C | Low: 8°C

    • Chard

      Light rain shower

      High: 12°C | Low: 7°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain shower

      High: 12°C | Low: 7°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain shower

      High: 12°C | Low: 8°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain shower

      High: 12°C | Low: 8°C

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