Thursday 10th October

Thursday, 10 October 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Work demolishing the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil will start before the end of the month. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for a ban on executive bonuses at Wessex Water. Somerset Council has issued an urgent appeal for more foster carers to come forward.. and more.

Somerset Council has appointed a contractor to demolish the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil with work starting before the end of the month. It follows the Council’s purchase of the Glovers Walk site for £2.7 million with plans for new residential and commercial buildings on the land. Contractors, Walters UK, are being paid £1 million to clear the site and complete the work by early springs next year. Yeovil bus station will stay open throughout the period.

A local man who pushed a parish councillor, causing him to fall and fracture his skull, has been given an 18-month suspended prison sentence. Taunton Crown Court was told that Ian Barnes, aged 60, attacked Iain Hall, the Chairman of Merriot Parish Council, during a meeting. The Court heard that Barnes had been in dispute with the parish council and became aggressive towards Mr Hall before pushing him to the ground. Apart from the 18-month suspended prison sentence, Barnes was also subjected to a 5-year restraining order and told to pay Mr Hall £500 in compensation.

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for a ban on executive bonuses at Wessex Water. His comments follow the announcement that Wessex Water has to pay back £5.3 million for poor performance and data showing that last year 2,667 sewage spills were reported in South Somerset. Mr Dance wants to see bonus payments to water bosses banned until leaks are fixed and sewage spills end. Wessex Water says for the second year running, no bonuses, relating to environmental performance, have been paid to directors.

Somerset Council has issued an appeal for more foster carers to come forward to provide stable homes for local children. The Council says it’s dealing with a growing number of children coming into the care of the council who need a foster family. Council Leader, Bill Revans says finding a stable foster home with a nurturing family provides the best environment for children in care, ensuring they remain in their local community, surrounded by the faces and places they know.

More from News

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