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 24th July

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