Thursday 2nd November

Thursday, 2 November 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

There's major disruption across Somerset this morning caused by Storm Ciaran with schools closed, and roads and train lines flooded. Somerset Council says it will shortly publish details of how it plans to control spending to prevent the authority going bankrupt. An auction of the fixtures and fittings at Dillington House near Ilminster held on Monday earlier this week raised more than £100,000...and more.

There's major disruption across Somerset this morning caused by Storm Ciaran with schools closed, and roads and train lines flooded. Rail operators including GW, Cross Country, and South Western Railway are all reporting cancellations. The Environment Agency has issued seven warnings and eight alerts for local flooding.

Somerset Council says it will shortly publish details of how it plans to control spending to prevent the authority from going bankrupt. Auditors have warned of a potential £130 million overspend in the next two years, with the Council facing a budget gap of £80 million in the 2024-25 financial year, and another £50 million in 2025-26. The Council says a doubling in the cost of providing adult and child social care is largely to blame for its financial problems.

A public inquiry is to be held into plans to build one hundred new homes in South Chard. An application to build the homes on land between Perry Street and Factory Lane in December 2021 was refused. Now, the developers, The Crossman Group, have lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to overturn this decision, with a public inquiry expected to be held early in the New Year.

The number of councillors on Somerset Council could be cut by the time of the next local elections. The Council currently has 110 members which is the third highest of any upper tier or unitary authority in England. Now, the Local Government Boundary Commission is to hold a review and has indicated the number of seats on Somerset Council could reduce to between 70 and 90 by the time the next local elections in May 2027. The review will also look into the boundaries of the existing council divisions and may rename some divisions to reflect their local character.

An auction of the fixtures and fittings at Dillington House near Ilminster held on Monday earlier this week raised more than £100,000. Dillington House which had been a conference and wedding venue run by Somerset Council closed in September. Of the 500 lots sold, a Waterford Crystal chandelier fetched the highest price at £3,700.

Volunteers and community groups in Chard are working together to collect Christmas presents for families in need. The Forefront Community Centre, Lord’s Larder Foodbank, Chard Community Hub, and South Chard Church are asking for new, unwrapped toys and gifts for children, who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present. Items can be dropped off at Forefront Community Centre, Chard Community Hub, and South Chard Church, up to Friday, November 29th.

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Friday 24th July

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