Thursday 30th November

Thursday, 30 November 2023 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

Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more