Monday 6th November

Monday, 6 November 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Plans by Somerset Council to sell £220 million of commercial properties could take up to two years to complete. Ninety per cent of care home residents in Somerset have received a Covid-19 jab. Ilchester Football Club is seeking financial help following damage to its ground in last week’s torrential rainstorms. A mother from Somerset has been talking to Princess Anne about how hard it is to be a parent carer...and more.

Plans by Somerset Council to sell £220 million of commercial properties could take up to two years to complete. The portfolio of properties includes shops like the Marks and Spencer store and former Wilko store in Yeovil, offices and other buildings both in Somerset and other parts of the country, The buildings are currently valued at substantially less than what was paid for them with Somerset Council facing a £70 million loss on the sale. This week, the Council is expected to declare a financial emergency as it battles to sort out its spending to stave off bankruptcy.

Ninety per cent of care home residents in Somerset have received a Covid-19 jab, according to NHS Somerset. 128,000 Covid-19 vaccinations have been given since the winter campaign was launched in Somerset in September.

A mother from Somerset has been talking to Princess Anne about how hard it is to be a parent carer. Tina Amery was presented with an OBE by the Princess Royal for her services to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Tina says the Princess listened very carefully to all her points.

Ilchester Football Club is seeking financial help following damage to its ground in last week’s torrential thunderstorms. The club says its pitches and the clubhouse were left waterlogged when the River Yeo burst its banks. A GoFundMe page has been launched asking people to contribute towards getting the Club back up and running again.

A Somerset man who is planning to build a house says he is "confused" and "frustrated" by river pollution rules that are preventing him from starting work. Tony Fuller wants to build the house in Winsham, near Chard but has been told by planners that he needs to spend £55,000 on environmental credits or his planning application will be refused. Mr Fuller says the longer the delay goes on, the more it will cost him to build the house.

The go-ahead has been given to build a new care home in Yeovil. The 66-bedroom care home will be built on a vacant plot on Highfield Road, off St Michael’s Avenue. Planning permission had previously been granted to build 14 new homes on the land.

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Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more