Local News Wednesday 18th May

Wednesday, 18 May 2022 06:00

More than half of households in Somerset who qualify for the £150 council tax rebate towards their energy bills should by now have received the cash. A Yeovil man’s appeared in court charged with assaulting another man in Martock. An additional £1.6 million pound is to be spent making three leisure centres in South Somerset more environmentally friendly. Plans to build 130 new homes in Henstridge are to go ahead after a change of mind at South Somerset District Council...and more.

More than half of households in Somerset who qualify for the £150 council tax rebate towards their energy bills should by now have received the cash. Somerset’s District Councils have so far made one hundred and nine thousand payments on properties in bands A to D. Sixty four thousand households who qualify for the £150 payment but don’t pay their council tax by direct debit have been told that they need to apply to their local council to claim the money.

A Yeovil man’s appeared in court charged with assaulting another man in Martock. Samuel Stark of Naish Barton in East Coker pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered to pay the man £500 in compensation. Stark was also told to complete 190 hours of unpaid work and to pay court costs of £845 pounds.

An additional £1.6 million pound is to be spent making three leisure centres in South Somerset more environmentally friendly. The centres are Wincanton Sports Centre in Wincanton, Goldenstones Leisure Centre and Westlands Leisure Centre in Yeovil. Funding for the work has been provided by central government but now South Somerset District Council has committed an extra £1.6 million to ensure the improvements are completed before the new unitary Somerset Council takes over
running the three leisure centres in April next year.

Plans to build 130 new homes in Henstridge are to go ahead after a change of mind at South Somerset District Council. Originally, members of the Council’s Area East Committee turned down the scheme to be built off Woodhayes Way. But now that decision has been overturned by members of the Council’s Scrutiny Committee allowing for the development to go ahead. Of the 130 homes proposed on the site, 46 will be affordable.

The A30 Sherborne Road close to the junction with Lyde Road in Yeovil will shut at 6.30 pm this evening and re-open at 6.30 am tomorrow. It’s to allow for work to commence resurfacing the road.

A woman with Parkinson's disease hopes her story will help inspire others living with the condition to achieve something they want to. Rho Dickson from Montacute near Yeovil was diagnosed over 11 years ago. Since then she's learnt to sing, play the guitar and write songs. She has now launched an album on Spotify.

Councillor Evie Potts-Jones was voted in for a further one year term as Mayor of Yeovil at last night’s annual meeting of Yeovil Town Council. Councillor Andy Kendall was also confirmed in the role of Deputy Mayor for a further 12 months.

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Monday 12th October

Two people were arrested on suspicion of racially motivated public order offences during an anti-immigration protest held in Yeovil at the weekend. Women in Somerset now have access to two brand new mobile breast screening units. A drought permit has been approved for Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor which is currently only 18% full...and more
Friday 9th October

A controversial new one-way traffic system in Bridgwater is to be changed back to a 2-way system. Plans to cut support funding to young carers in Somerset have been scrapped. A new website has been launched in Chard bringing together everything residents and visitors need to know about the town...and more
Thursday 8th October

Somerset Council is to press ahead with increases to parking charges at its car parks. Police say increasing numbers of young people in Somerset are riding e-scooters illegally. Wells market has received national recognition...and more
Wednesday 7th October

Somerset Council says it's started talks about what do with the Brewhouse theatre in Taunton after it closes at the end of the month. A Chard man has been sentenced for keeping multiple different dogs despite being banned from doing so. NHS van drivers based in Bridgwater who supply hospitals in Somerset with essential medical equipment will walk out on strike next week... and more
Tuesday 6th October

Prince William is visiting Ilminster today, where he will launch ‘Ready Together’, a new initiative helping communities prepare for emergencies. Barwick and Stoford Primary School near Yeovil says it's confident of emerging stronger after being placed in special measures by Ofsted. Vapes and weight-loss jabs are putting workers at recycling centres in Somerset at risk after being wrongly thrown away...and more
Monday 5th October

Ilminster is gearing up for a Royal visit by Prince William tomorrow. Plans have been approved to convert the former Battens Solicitors building on Princes Street in Yeovil into 21 flats. A 'Just Giving' page has opened for making donations towards Ilminster Carnival which, on Saturday, had to be cancelled midway through due to a gas leak...and more
Friday 2nd October

An investigation's underway after two people died in a collision near Taunton. A Somerset-based charity has warned of the risks of fuel poverty this winter. A Somerset healthcare service has been recognised with a national award.... and more.
Thursday 1st October

765 new homes have been given planning permission on the edge of Yeovil. Somerset Council’s Executive will meet to consider new parking charges. Four of the county’s best military cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets... and more.