Thursday 1st February

Thursday, 1 February 2024 06:30

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says the government is not to blame for the financial crisis at Somerset Council. Dog walkers in Somerset are being reminded to keep their animals under control after multiple reports of livestock worrying. A girl in Queen Camel, who's been running a mile every morning before school, has raised nearly eleven thousand pounds for charity...and more.

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says the government isn’t to blame for the financial crisis at Somerset Council. The Council wants to cut spending by £100 million and increase the council tax by ten per cent to avoid going bust. Speaking in Parliament, Marcus Fysh accused the Liberal Democrat run authority of missing an opportunity to save tens of millions of pounds when Somerset Council was formed to replace the county council and district councils. Last week, the Treasury pledged an extra £600m for councils in England, after more than forty MPs including two from Somerset warned that local councils were not getting enough funding from the government.

Dog walkers in Somerset are being reminded to keep their animals under control after multiple reports of livestock worrying. Avon and Somerset Police received numerous complaints of sheep worrying earlier this month, which resulted in some animals dying and others being seriously injured.

The funeral takes place in Somerton today of Councillor Dean Ruddle. Councillor Ruddle who has died aged 59, represented Somerton on Somerset Council and was Chairman of Somerton Council. Following a private funeral service this morning, a public memorial service will be held in Edgar Hall starting at 2 pm. Those attending are asked to wear something bright and colourful to reflect Dean’s outstanding personality.

Nearly a third of women aged between twenty-five and forty-nine in Somerset are not attending their cervical screening appointments, according to new figures. The findings come from a study of women offered a screening, six weeks after giving birth.

A girl in Queen Camel, who has been running a mile every morning before school, has raised more than ten thousand pounds for charity. Mia, who’s 11, has been running in memory of a family friend who died of cancer for the charity Sarcoma UK. She completed her final run yesterday and says the whole thing had been very tiring.

More from News

Thursday 29th January

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more
Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more