Local News Wednesday 9th August

Wednesday, 9 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council has been fined three thousand pounds for allowing a child with special needs to miss six months of school. Plans have been outlined for an expansion of new housing in Wincanton. A licence has been granted to hold a boxing 'fight night' in Wincanton despite fights breaking out among the spectators at two previous events...and more.

Somerset Council has been fined three thousand pounds for allowing a child with special needs to miss six months of school. The boy was unable to attend a mainstream school after he moved to Somerset in September 2021. Somerset County Council - now Somerset Council – was found at fault for failing to make changes to his care plan and provide him with a budget to be educated outside of a mainstream school. The Local Government Ombudsman ordered Somerset Council to formally apologise and compensate the family for the distress they had caused.

A care home in Chard has been rated as ‘good’ following an inspection by CQC inspectors. Chard Manor Care Home on Tatworth Road was previously rated as being ‘outstanding’.

Plans have been outlined for an expansion of new housing in Wincanton. The scheme, put forward by The Vistry Partnership, will see around one hundred homes, together with seven business units built at Lawrence Hill. The development will link to the existing walking and cycling routes at Lawrence Hill, providing a way into the town centre via Cale Park.

Somerset Council has granted a licence for a boxing 'fight night' to take place in Wincanton this Saturday despite fights breaking out among the spectators at two previous events and the police objecting to it being held. ‘Fight Night 4’ is an event in which contestants agree on several rounds to box each other. A crowd of five hundred is expected at the event which is being held at the Wincanton Sports Centre.

Sheep farmers in Somerset say the wet summer is making it hard for them to shear their animals. They claim they’re losing money because less wool is being produced than would normally be produced at this time of the year.

Organisers of South Petherton Carnival are appealing for more floats to take part in this year’s event. South Petherton is the first illuminated carnival on the South Somerset circuit and takes place on Saturday 9th September. It’s free to enter and details can be found on South Petherton Carnival Facebook page.

A boy from Somerset is aiming to raise one million pounds for charity by having a haircut! Jago, whose dad Alex died from motor neurone disease, is working with his mother to raise money and awareness of the illness. Jago, who's autistic, says it was a big deal having his hair chopped because it had grown down his back after not going to a barber for three years.

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The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more