Local News Wednesday 8th December

Wednesday, 8 December 2021 06:00

The UK Health Security Agency is investigating two confirmed cases of the Omicron Covid variant linked to a private party held in Somerset. A survey’s been launched asking people in South Somerset if they would pay more for local policing. Children and young people in South Somerset, who are eligible for free school meals, are being offered free sports sessions during the Christmas break. South Somerset District Council has opened three new employment and skills hubs to help local people find jobs and receive training...and more.

The UK Health Security Agency is investigating two confirmed cases of the Omicron Covid variant linked to a private party held in Somerset. It says there are further suspected cases under investigation linked to the same event. The agency says wherever Omicron is identified or suspected, they will follow up with contacts to emphasise the importance of self-isolation and testing.

A survey’s been launched asking people in South Somerset if they would pay more for local policing. Avon and Somerset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Shelford says if households paid an extra £10 a year in council tax, it would mean savings in running the force would be less likely. Home Office grant funding to the Avon and Somerset Police will increase over the next financial year but the Crime Commissioner says it won’t be enough to manage inflationary pressures, like pay rises. You can take part in the online survey via the Avon and Somerset Police website, until the 21st of January.

Children and young people in South Somerset, who are eligible for free school meals, are being offered free sports sessions during the Christmas break. It's part of the Marcus Rashford school meals initiative and is being run by Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership in conjunction with the County Council.

South Somerset District Council has opened three new employment and skills hubs to help local people find jobs and receive training. The opportunities hubs at Chard Library, the Balsam Centre in Wincanton, and at Yeovil Library, are being run in partnership with the social housing provider Abri.

Production of the sparkling pear drink Babycham is about to return to Somerset. Brothers Drinks have re-acquired the Babycham brand and will re-launch it next year with production based at their Shepton Mallet factory. To celebrate the re-launch, the famous yellow Babycham Bambi, which has stood outside in Shepton Mallet for sixty years, has been re-painted and moved to a more prominent location at Kilver Court on the A37.

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Friday 24th July

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The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
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