Monday 5th February

Monday, 5 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Plans by Somerset Council to cut one thousand jobs have been described as a betrayal. The go-ahead has been given to build a new solar farm in West Coker. Avon and Somerset Police won't be recruiting any new Police Community Support Officers this year due to a cash shortage...and more.

The Regional Convenor of the local government union, UNISON, Neil Guild, has described Somerset Council’s plans to cut one thousand jobs as a betrayal. Lib Dem members of Somerset Council’s ruling Executive meet on Wednesday to vote on the job cuts and to cut overall spending by one hundred million pounds to avoid the Council going bust. Neil Guild said when the County Council and district councils were disbanded to form the new Somerset Council, UNISON was given no indication that the reduction in jobs would be so great.

The go-ahead has been given to build a new solar farm in West Coker, on the outskirts of Yeovil. Despite objections, planners agreed to 40 acres of farmland off Camp Road being used for the scheme. The site will supply nearly a quarter of the electricity needs of the Leonardo Helicopter factory on Lysander Road. A public right of way that runs through the site will be maintained.

Avon and Somerset Police say PCSO numbers within the force will drop by around eighty this year. This, despite its share of the Council Tax going up by an extra £13 from April. Avon and Somerset Police say the additional income will be enough to retain officer numbers at their current levels, but back-room jobs will be cut and no new PCSOs will be taken on this year.

Plans to regenerate Wincanton have been scrapped. South Somerset District Council had planned to spend £5.6 million smartening up the town centre and to bring empty shops back into use. Somerset Council, who inherited the scheme when SSDC was disbanded, says it’s no longer affordable.

Crewkerne in Bloom says it has nowhere to grow its plants and store its handing baskets this year. Up until now, plants that are publicly displayed in Crewkerne have been supplied by Lufton Nursery in Yeovil but the nursery, which is owned by Somerset Council, is at risk of closing as part of the Council cutting its spending by £100 million to avoid bankruptcy.

A new landmark is soon to be unveiled in Ilminster. It’s a large clock, located above the Retail Therapy shop in Silver Street, to commemorate the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The clock, that Ilminster Rotarians have provided, will be officially unveiled at a ceremony held at midday on Saturday, February 17th.

More from News

Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.