Thursday 30th November

Thursday, 30 November 2023 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Libraries, leisure centres, theatres and recycling centres could all face cuts as Somerset Council tries to save tens of millions of pounds. The people who run Shepton Mallet Prison say the building is closing as a visitor attraction. A licence has been granted to hold an eight-day long Christmas Festival at Yeovil Showground in December...and more

Libraries, leisure centres, theatres, and recycling centres could all face cuts as Somerset Council tries to save tens of millions of pounds. The authority needs to cut £87m from next year's budget. Rising adult and children social care costs are putting particular pressure on council spending. The Lib Dem Council Leader, Bill Revans, says everything the council does is being looked at with a view to making savings.

The people who run Shepton Mallet Prison say the building will be closing as a venue in early January due to problems they are having with the building’s owners. The former jail that holds the record for having England’s highest prison perimeter wall has been used for events and tours but the company running it says they can no longer continue working with the landlords.

The go-ahead has been given to hold an eight-day long Christmas Festival at Yeovil Showground this year. Somerset Council has granted the event a licence after Avon and Somerset Police withdrew their objections to it being held. The festival also called the Yeovil Christmas Extravaganza will feature Santa's Grotto, an ice rink, live music, fairground rides, and a Christmas shopping village. It is due to take place at Yeovil Showground from Friday 15th to Friday 22nd of December, with a firework display on Saturday, December 16th at 8 pm.

Increasing numbers of families in Somerset are having their complaints about special educational needs services upheld. The number of complaints upheld by the Ombudsman service has gone from three, five years ago, to 22 upheld last year. Somerset Council says it’s consulting on how it can change the system for supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Work has been completed refreshing the look of the Co-op food store in Martock. The store on North Street that supports 18 local jobs re-opens today after being closed for 6-weeks while the refurbishment was carried out.

More from News

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