Wednesday 11th February

Wednesday, 11 February 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. The government had been asked to give Somerset Council permission to go above the 5 percent cap, but it has refused. Somerset Council had wanted to increase Council Tax by 11 percent and will now have to address how to continue funding core services, including libraries and roads. The Leader of the Conservative opposition group on Somerset Council, Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, has welcomed the government's decision. He says it has prevented a potential annual increase of more than £200 in council tax for the average household in Somerset.

Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. Police say counterfeit £20 notes were used to pay for transactions at a filling station on Priory Bridge Road in Taunton on January 29th and a shop on East Reach in the town on March 5th.

CCTV footage has been issued after a woman stole £2,000 worth of goods from the Boots store at Babylon Hill near Yeovil. It happened at around 3:30pm on Sunday, February 1st, with beauty products and baby clothes being taken. Images of the woman can be viewed on the Dorset Police website. If you can help identify the woman you’re asked to please call the non-emergency number 101.

The M5 will be closed in both directions between junctions 25 at Taunton and 27 at Tiverton on several nights this month. It's to allow work to be carried out to alleviate flooding on the motorway. From Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 15th the M5 will be shut southbound between junctions 25 and 27 from 9pm to 6am. And then again from Thursday, February 19th to Monday, February 23rd northbound between junctions 25 and 27 from 9pm to 6am.

A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off Mount Snowdon in North Wales. Tim Howell, who has been BASE jumping for 15 years, claims he’s the first to perform a parachute-ski jump from the top of the 1100 meter high Mount Snowdon.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more