Wednesday 13th December

Wednesday, 13 December 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council has scrapped offering free parking at its car parks this Christmas. An announcement about the future of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre is expected early in the New Year. Yeovil residents claim it is taking up to two weeks for their post to be delivered with important letters like hospital appointments arriving too late...and more.

Somerset Council has scrapped offering free parking at its car parks this Christmas. Previously, on certain days in December in the run-up to Christmas, council-owned car parks have been free to encourage shoppers into the town centre. This year, Somerset Council says the scheme, costing around £50,000 in lost revenues, is no longer affordable. Meanwhile, Somerset Council has launched a consultation asking people for suggestions on how it could cut tens of millions of pounds from its spending. It follows the Council announcing a financial emergency and needing to cut 87 million pounds from next year’s budget or risk bankruptcy.

People in Yeovil claim it’s taking up to two weeks for their post to be delivered with important letters like hospital appointments arriving too late. Some have started collecting their mail from the main sorting office in Huish. Royal Mail says it's working hard to ensure a reliable service in the run-up to Christmas, but the union representing Somerset's Royal Mail workers is blaming staff shortages for the delays.

An announcement about the future of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre is expected early in the New Year. Plans to re-build the Octagon at a cost of 32 million pounds have been delayed due to Somerset Council needing to make big savings next year. The Council’s opposition Conservative Leader, David Fothergill, has suggested that money raised through the Council selling a battery storage business could be used to fund the Octagon project.

Ilminster Arts Centre has announced the winners of its annual Children's Christmas Card Competition. The winners’ names can be viewed on the Ilminster Arts Centre website, with copies of their cards now on sale at the Arts Centre.

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Tuesday 27th January

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Monday 26th January

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Friday 23rd January

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Thursday 22nd January

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Wednesday 21st January

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Tuesday 20th January

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Monday 19th January

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