Thursday 22nd February

Thursday, 22 February 2024 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The 54 and 58 bus routes that operate out of Yeovil have been saved from closure. Work has been completed on a four-year-long project to smarten up Chard town centre. The Conservative opposition Leader at Somerset Council is warning of 1200 job cuts as the Council makes savings of £100 million...and more.

Somerset Council and the operators of Buses of Somerset have reached an agreement that will ensure the 54 and 58 services out of Yeovil are kept running. Both services had been at risk due to low passenger numbers and budget cuts at Somerset Council but will now operate until March next year when a further review will take place. The 54 bus runs from Yeovil to Taunton passing through Somerton and Langport. While the 58 runs between Yeovil and Wincanton via Sherborne.

The Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans says he and his fellow Lib Dem colleagues had no alternative but to vote in support of cutting the Council’s spending by £100 million, otherwise, the authority would have been declared bankrupt. At a full meeting of Somerset Council earlier this week, Lib Dem councillors voted to put up the Council Tax by five per cent together with implementing deep cuts to a wide range of council services. Despite the cuts, Councillor Revans says the financial problems facing Somerset Council are far from over.

A Yeovil man has been fined £100 and given a community order for attacking a woman. Appearing at Poole Magistrates Court, Owynn Kew, aged 30, of Milford Road in Yeovil pleaded guilty to beating the woman in Lenthay Road in Sherborne in March last year.

Work has been completed on a four-year-long project to smarten up the look of Chard town centre. The Chard Heritage Action Project has involved relaying pavements and freshening up shop fronts. Restoration work has also been carried out at many of the 136 Listed Buildings in Chard, including the Guildhall and Chard School.

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Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more