Tuesday 21st November

Tuesday, 21 November 2023 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Leader of Somerset Council has written an open letter to every household in Somerset explaining why the Council has declared a 'financial emergency'. A public meeting has been organised to discuss the future of Bruton School for Girls. Staff and customers at a shop in Chard have raised £900 for Chard Hospital League of Friends...and more.

The Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, has written an open letter to every household in Somerset to explain why the Council has been forced into declaring a financial emergency. In his letter, Councillor Revans says Somerset Council has a projected overspend of £27 million in the current financial year and a budget gap of £100 million in the next financial year, with the bulk of the overspend blamed on the rising costs of delivering adult social care services. At a meeting early next month, members of the Executive at Somerset Council will be asked to vote on a range of money savings measures including cutting staff numbers, selling council-owned buildings, and transferring some non-statutory functions, like running theatres, to town councils.

For the first time, nurses can be fully trained in Somerset without having to leave the County. Previously, those seeking a nursing degree have had to move to other parts of the country to study at university. Now, a nursing degree course is being offered at Bridgwater and Taunton College.

A Somerset couple have written a book about their travels on a narrowboat along Britain’s rivers and canals. Rob and Philippa Perryman spent a year covering thirteen hundred miles of waterways in their narrowboat. They’re hoping their book will inspire others to give traveling by narrowboat a try.

Staff and customers at the Original Factory shop in Chard have raised £900 for Chard Hospital League of Friends. The money was raised through selling carrier bags, holding a bingo night and raffle.

A public meeting has been organised to discuss the future of Bruton School for Girls. The school closed last summer after being in existence for 122 years. The school and adjoining land are currently advertised for sale at £9 million, with development potential. The meeting, organised by Bruton Town Council and Pitcombe Parish Council, takes place next Monday, November 27th.

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