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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Thursday 16th May

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Wednesday 15th May

Somerset Council seeking to save £40 million by cutting one thousand jobs says 201 employees have so far applied to leave the authority based on voluntary redundancy. East Somerset Railway near Shepton Mallet has been used for filming the TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel Rivals. An old-style red phone box in Castle Cary is being turned into Somerset's smallest museum...and more
Tuesday 14th May

Somerset's Chief Medical Officer says GP surgeries using healthcare professionals alongside doctors to provide treatments has freed up GP appointments. A farmer has been fined £15,000 for polluting a household water supply. Avon and Somerset’s new Police and Crime Commissioner has officially started work in the role. Chard Post Office is closed today for the handover of the business to new owners...and more.
Monday 13th May

Health inspectors have criticised Somerset's maternity services, including those at Yeovil Hospital. Somerset Council says re-opening Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre in its original form could cost up to £200,000 if a multi-million-pound upgrade of the building falls through. A film made by a Yeovil man on a budget of just five thousand pounds was screened at the prestigious British Independent Film Festival...and more.
Friday 10th May

The Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard says it needs an immediate injection of £100,000 to keep going. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has returned to Yeovil Rugby Club where she began her rugby career 20 years ago. Twenty-five Town criers from across the South will be in Ilminster tomorrow competing in the annual Ilminster Town Criers' Competition...and more.
Thursday 9th May

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Wednesday 8th May

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