Thursday 13th February

Thursday, 13 February 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Councillors have voted to cut 555 jobs at Somerset Council. Farmers in Somerset are reporting a big increase in thefts of trucks, trailers and machinery. NHS Somerset has confirmed that a doctor’s surgery in Yeovil is to expand. The Forget Me Not Pre-School in Yeovil has been rated 'Good' across all areas by Ofsted...and more

Councillors have voted to cut 555 jobs at Somerset Council. The authority is undergoing a major restructuring following the merger of five district councils in April 2023 and trying to plug a £66 million gap in its budget for the new financial year starting in April. Chair of Somerset UNISON, Neil Guild, says the cuts will impact greatly on service levels at Somerset Council.

Farmers in Somerset are reporting a big increase in thefts of trucks, trailers and machinery. Figures from insurers NFU Mutual show that in 2023 there was a 42 per cent increase in farm thefts in Somerset.

NHS Somerset has confirmed that a doctor’s surgery in Yeovil is to expand. The Ryalls Park Medical Centre on Marsh Lane is close to several planned housing developments with people moving into the new homes wanting to register with the surgery.

The South West has been given £23.1 million of government funding for new walking and cycling projects, and Somerset Council will receive £2.7 million. The money will provide cycle tracks and footpaths, as well as safer crossings and road junctions.

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with two drink and drug driving offences. Owen Zubel of Hillside Terrace was found to be over the drink and drug drive limit after the car he was driving was involved in a four-vehicle crash at Pen Hill in Wincanton. Magistrates in Yeovil sentenced him to a 12-month community order with 120 hours unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Ofsted has rated the Forget Me Not Pre-School in Yeovil has 'Good' across all areas. The nursery in Linden Road was praised for its strong leadership, high-quality education, and nurturing environment for children aged two to four following the inspection in November.

Local suppliers of wheelchair-accessible products, Koller Engineering, on Garrett Road in Yeovil, has made St Margaret’s Hospice Care its Charity of the Year. The business says it will donate £1 from every wheelchair restraint it sells in 2025 to support the hospice’s work in Somerset..

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