Local News Wednesday 15th December

Wednesday, 15 December 2021 06:00

Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health at Somerset County Council

Somerset’s Director of Public Health is urging people to do Covid tests before meeting with other people and to meet up in well-ventilated spaces. South Somerset District Council has confirmed that two senior members of staff have left the organisation after an investigation into multiple potential breaches of their code of conduct. A teaching union is calling for a staggered start to the return to school in January and for additional on-site testing facilities to help deal with the spread of Omicron...and more.

Somerset’s Director of Public Health is urging people to do Covid tests before meeting with other people and to meet up in well-ventilated spaces. Trudi Grant says it's only a matter of time before the Omicron becomes the dominant Covid variant in Somerset.

South Somerset District Council has confirmed that two senior members of staff have left the organisation after an investigation into multiple potential breaches of their code of conduct. Earlier this year the council says it was made aware of allegations against two senior team members. The investigation was kept confidential to ensure that the appropriate evidence was gathered and any disciplinary proceedings resulting from the investigations were fair and legal. The names of those involved and the exact reasons for their departure have not been made public

A teaching union is calling for a staggered start to the return to school in January and for additional on-site testing facilities to help deal with the spread of Omicron. The NASUWT in Somerset says in some schools up to half of the teaching workforce is not at work due to Covid related illnesses.

Chard’s Emily Greenway has taken the bronze medal at the European Powerlifting Championships in Sweden. Her final score in the three categories was 190kg squat; 92.5kg bench and a 200kg deadlift that was a new personal best. Next for Emily is the British Championships in March, where she will compete for a place in Team GB, but before that and perhaps more importantly for Emily, she will be getting married early in the New Year.

Another artist has been announced for Live in Somerset in Taunton next year. Rag and Bone Man will perform at Vivary Park on Saturday 27th August. Ollie Murs and Simply Red have already been confirmed for the late Bank holiday weekend live event.

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