Redundancy payments have been made to 49 senior officers at Somerset Council costing £7.4 million with one officer receiving a payoff of half a million pounds. Farmers in Somerset are warning of major problems with this year’s harvest that could make food more expensive. This year’s Royal Bath and West Show opens today... and more.
Redundancy payments have been made to 49 senior officers at Somerset Council as the council takes steps to prevent bankruptcy by trimming its wage bill. The payments are costing the council £7.4 million with the outgoing executive director for resources and corporate services alone receiving more than half a million pounds. Somerset Council says making the senior officers redundant will save £2.9 million a year, with a further 201 other employees due to be made redundant saving £9.4 million. The Liberal Democrat-controlled Council has defended the payments saying they are in line with the employment conditions of each post holder.
Farmers in Somerset are warning of major problems with this year’s harvest that could make food more expensive this autumn. They say it’s due to the recent bad weather and Somerset having had its wettest winter since records began back in 1836.
A group representing bus users in Somerset has criticised First Bus for taking a local bus out of service and moving it to Swansea. Somerset Bus Partnership has posted a photo of the green bus marked with Somerset taking passengers around Swansea. The Partnership says buses assigned to run in Somerset should be kept in the County as cover for when a bus breaks down and to avoid a service being cancelled.
This year’s Royal Bath and West Show, showcasing the best farming and agriculture across the UK, opens today. Around 30,000 visitors are expected at the Shepton Mallet showground for the first of the 3-day event.
Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more
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