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

Friday 26th July

Somerset Olympic Rower, Helen Glover, will be carrying the Team GB flag, together with diver Tom Daley, at this evening's opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Work has been completed building a new mental health ward in Yeovil. Martock Library is reducing its opening hours after losing funding from the Parish Council...and more.
Thursday 25th July

A crowdfunding appeal has been launched raising money to help find a Chard man missing for almost two weeks in Sardinia. Somerset Council is to sell off some of its buildings to help balance the books. Building work on the UK's biggest electric vehicle battery factory near Bridgwater will begin next month...and more.
Wednesday 24th July

Drivers at Buses for Somerset are involved in a second day of strike action today. Police in Yeovil confiscated a motorbike that was being ridden without insurance. This year’s Charter Fair in Crewkerne will take place over three days from the 6th to the 8th of September. The main road through the cliffs at Cheddar Gorge is closed again today for filming...and more.
Tuesday 23rd July

A sub-postmistress from Wells, falsely accused of stealing by the Post Office, is celebrating after finally being paid compensation. An amateur jockey from near Sherborne is in hospital after sustaining a serious back injury in a fall. A man who became violent towards staff at Hollywood Bowl in Yeovil has been jailed...and more.
Monday 22nd July

The RSPCA in Somerset has reported a big increase in cases of animal cruelty. The mother of a Chard man, missing for more than a week in Sardinia, has launched a desperate plea to find him. A book detailing the life of one of Stalbridge’s most famous sons, the author Douglas Adams, has been gifted to Stalbridge Town Council...and more.
Friday 19th July

Glovers Walk shopping centre in Yeovil is to be demolished. The Rock and Ribs music festival starts at Wincanton racecourse today. A mobile clinic, part of the UK’s largest-ever health research programme, is coming to Chard and Yeovil. A new community magazine has been launched in Sparkford...and more.
Thursday 18th July

Plans have been submitted to build 650 new houses in Wincanton. Farmers in Somerset have criticised Avon and Somerset Police for re-deploying four officers from the rural crime team. Glastonbury and Somerton MP, Sarah Dyke, has written to the new Transport Secretary asking for a meeting about restoring a rail link between Langport and Somerton...and more.
Wednesday 17th July

Work to upgrade the gas network on Preston Road in Yeovil begins later this month. Somerset Council has been given the go-ahead to deliver the final phase of the Yeovil Refresh project. The wet weather is being blamed for a big drop in visitor numbers to Somerset this summer...and more.