Adam Dance, MP has challenged the Government over a "failure to tackle rising levels of child poverty" in South Somerset. A man in Chard has been evicted from a property in the town. Temporary changes are being put in place at Yeovil Bus Station... and more
Yeovil MP Adam Dance has challenged the Government over what he calls a failure to tackle rising levels of child poverty in South Somerset. Mr Dance feels that the new national Child Poverty Strategy, expected to be published in the autumn, fails to match the scale of the challenge, with relative child poverty in Yeovil rising from 17.7% in 2020 to 20.4% in 2024. He says the necessary investment in local services, schools, mental health support and transport in rural communities has been overlooked in the area.
A man in Chard has been evicted from a property in the town after causing what is described as ‘significant distress’ to local residents. The tenant and others linked to the property on Silver Street caused prolonged problems for neighbours through anti-social behaviour, drug use and criminal damage. Local Police worked alongside Stonewater Housing Association to evict the individual on Thursday, 3rd July.
Temporary changes are being implemented at Yeovil Bus Station for waiting passengers as work to demolish buildings at Glovers Walk progresses. The waiting room and accessible toilet will be temporarily relocated to the Earle Street car park from Monday, 14th July. The facilities will be open during the day whilst bus services are in operation. Some benches and seating will also be inaccessible during the work, with the works expected to be completed in the autumn.
Ferne Animal Sanctuary has announced its annual summer fete, taking place on Sunday, 20th July. The event, which will run through the day, will include interactive activities, arts and crafts, games for the whole family, and displays from the Somerset Moth Group.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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,