Thursday 27th March

Thursday, 27 March 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has criticised the Chancellor for not reforming business rates in her Spring Statement. Fifteen schools in Somerset are to be equipped with new facilities for children with special educational needs. A charity in Yeovil is appealing for donations of new underwear to give to people who are homeless...and more

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has criticised the Chancellor for not reforming business rates in her Spring Statement. Speaking in the Commons, he said Rachel Reeves had missed an opportunity to help hard-pressed businesses and, in particular, high street retailers. Mr Dance also hit out at the Chancellor for not scrapping the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions and reversing the family farm tax. He said rather than targeting businesses, the government should raise revenue by taxing big banks, social media giants, and online gambling companies.

Fifteen schools in Somerset are to be equipped with new facilities to cater for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The new SEND units are a response to specialist schools operating at full capacity, and a rise in the number of young people with special educational needs requiring places at state schools. The schools in our area to be equipped with new SEND units are: Maiden Beech Academy and Wadham School in Crewkerne, Reckleford Infant School and St. Michael's Academy in Yeovil, and Wincanton Primary School.

Somerset Council has launched a review into local government in Langport and Huish Episcopi. It follows a petition signed by people living in both local council areas, calling for Langport Town Council and Huish Episcopi Parish Council to be replaced by a single council. The review will start by consulting key stakeholders, including the local MP and elected local councillors. Final recommendations will be considered this autumn, with the decision implemented in April 2027.

People in Yeovil are being asked to have their say on plans to extend dog control measures in Ninesprings Country Park.
The measures, which include a dog exclusion zone as well as making owners keep their animals on leads in public places, are already in place but expire at the end of June. Somerset Council wants to extend the existing Public Space Protection Orders by three years and has started a public consultation that runs until the 5th May.

A charity in Yeovil is appealing for donations of new underwear. The Roost, based at The Gateway in Adlewell Lane, is asking for items of underwear to give to people who are homeless in South Somerset.

A new High Sheriff has been appointed to the role in Somerset. Janet Montgomery takes over from Rob Beckley, who has completed his one-year term of office.

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Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,