Somerset Council is taking legal action to remove an arms company from one of its commercial properties. Waste collection days across Somerset are set to change next month due to two impending bank holidays. An archaeological survey has begun on the proposed site of a new skate park in Bruton... and more.
Somerset Council is taking legal action to remove an arms company from one of its commercial properties. The council owns a number of commercial properties, the majority of which it inherited when district councils were abolished in 2023. They include offices at Aztec West in Bristol occupied by a defence contractor who, it is claimed, supplies arms to Israel. In recent weeks, Somerset Council has been targeted by the pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action for providing office accommodation to arms suppliers linked with Israel. The company at the centre of the row claims all activities from its Bristol base are geared towards supporting the British army and are not related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Waste collection days across Somerset are set to change next month due to two impending bank holidays. During the weeks beginning Monday, May 6th, and Monday, May 27th, recycling, refuse and garden waste collections will be one day later than usual. Somerset’s recycling sites will be open as usual from 9 am to 4 pm on weekends, and if opening on a Monday is part of their normal opening pattern, they will be open on both Bank Holiday Mondays from 9 am to 6 pm.
Street Football Club has been given permission to sell alcohol and hold events until 1 am on Friday and Saturday nights. The Club had asked Somerset Council to amend its existing licence, allowing it to sell alcohol and play music until late into the night at its Tannery ground on Middle Brooks. Despite objections from residents, the Council's licensing sub-committee East voted to grant the new licence after receiving assurances from both the Club and the Police.
An archaeological survey has begun on the proposed site for building a new skate park in Bruton. Final approval for the skate park in Jubilee Park still has to be given, with £87,000 raised so far to pay for it.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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