Monday 2nd February

Monday, 2 February 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

The Met Office has issued a warning of more heavy rain for Somerset. A survey by Somerset Council shows nearly two-thirds of households would be happy to pay more in council tax. Yeovil Town Council is offering free allotment spaces to support people’s wellbeing... and more

The Met Office has issued a warning of more heavy rain for Somerset from midday today to 9 am tomorrow. They say between 10 and 20 mm of rain could fall later today and overnight causing further flooding in places like Chard, Ilminster and Yeovil.

A survey by Somerset Council shows nearly two-thirds of households would be happy to pay more council tax to prevent further cuts in public services. The consultation, held in December, asked people how much additional council tax they would be willing to pay. Of the 1,400 people who responsed, 62 per cent said they’d support a council tax rise, with 21 per cent favouring an increase of 4.99 per, and 15 per cent supporting a larger rise. 36 per cent said council tax bills should not rise at all, and 2 per cent called for bills to be reduced. Council Leader, Bill Revans, says whatever the level of increase in council tax in Somerset, it will be kept in line with the national and regional average.

Changes are being made to waste collections at flats and other communal accommodation in Somerset. 13,000 households are involved, with people living in flats and communal accommodation able to recycle plastic bottles, cans, foil and aerosols, glass bottles and jars, cartons, food waste and plastic bags and wrappers. The new collection service begins at the end of March.

Yeovil Town Council is offering allotment space at no charge in a scheme aimed at supporting people’s wellbeing. The Town Council operates 300 allotment plots on 11 sites and says it will give free spaces to community groups, beginner gardeners and underrepresented residents. The scheme, called Allotments for All, runs on a trial basis to September this year.

More from News

Friday 14th August

Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
Thursday 13th August

An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more
Wednesday 12th August

Experts say with good visibility forecast for this evening, people across Somerset should have some of the best views of the solar eclipse anywhere in the UK. A Somerset councillor is calling for the Stop Line cycle route between Chard and Ilminster to be better supported. It's 40-years ago this week since a Lynx helicopter built in Yeovil set a new World Helicopter Speed Record... and more
Tuesday 11th August

Wessex Water says a hosepipe ban is possible if customers fail to cut their water usage. A record number of illegal dog fights were reported in Somerset last year. Yeovil Town's Mason Obeng has won the traditional sack of potatoes, given to the player who scores Yeovil's first goal of the new season, as a lucky omen... and more
Monday 10th August

A local councillor claims anti-social behaviour is putting people off coming into Yeovil town centre. South-West Water has announced a hosepipe ban in the Chard area. Great Western Railway has apologised after a wheelchair user from Chard became stuck at one of its stations... and more
Friday 7th August

Chard's biggest employer, Numatic International, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, has announced job cuts. A new Neighbourhood Plan for Hatch Beauchamp has officially been adopted. Two historic artefacts taken from Glastonbury Abbey more than 70 years ago have been returned...and more
Thursday 6th August

A local man and convicted former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to stand in Crewkerne South in next year’s local elections for a seat on Somerset Council, has pulled out after a backlash against his candidacy. A charity that runs children's homes in Somerset is terminating its contract early following a critical report by Ofsted...and more
Wednesday 5th August

Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner is backing the wider use of police drones in towns like Yeovil to help tackle crime. Visitor numbers at Somerset's tourist attractions are down by around sixty per cent so far this year. A gardening expert says it'll take much more than the occasional shower to revive Somerset's parched lawns, parks and open spaces...and more