Tuesday 19th February

Tuesday, 20 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council meets today to agree on spending cuts of £100 million to prevent the Council from going bankrupt. A Martock man has been charged in connection with an incident at a pro-Palestine demonstration in central London. Ilminster Town Council is holding an auction of furniture at its former offices in North Street...and more

Members of Somerset Council meet today to agree on spending cuts of £100 million to prevent the Council from going bust. Meanwhile, the Leader of Somerset Council has been defending the pay of the authority's senior leadership team. Lib Dem Councillor Bill Revans says that salaries of between £100,000 and £195,000 paid to each of the thirty-strong senior leadership team are in line with what other local councils pay their top people.

A Martock man has been charged in connection with a pro-Palestine demonstration in central London. Martin Prady of Birch Road in Martock was arrested during last Saturday’s pro-Palestine demonstration held in the capital, accused of obstructing a police officer. Mr Prady is due to attend Highbury Magistrates’ Court on March 4th.

"No police officer will ever ask people to hand over money or valuables or to divulge sensitive banking details" That's the message Avon and Somerset Police want people to share with friends and family following a spate of incidents in which fraudsters, claiming to be police officers, have called people asking for bank information.

Ilminster Town Council is holding an auction of furniture at its former offices in North Street. The Council is due to vacate the North Street premises at the end of March and will be selling furniture from the council chamber and other items by sealed bids. The items can be viewed at the council offices in North Street between 4 pm and 7 pm on Monday, March 18th.

A primary school teacher in Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been on a visit to Parliament to help grow pupils’ interest in politics. Frances Abbott, of Castle Primary School, was one of seventy teachers invited to take part in the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador programme, sitting in on debates in the Commons and Lords, and learning about the role of select committees.

Chard Rugby Club Ladies have raised nearly £1,500 ahead of their Three Peaks challenge. Members of the team plan to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon in 24 hours in September to raise funds for grassroots rugby. Their next fundraising event will be an Easter Bingo at Chard Rugby Club on Friday, March 22nd.

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Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,