Wednesday 1st May

Wednesday, 1 May 2024 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

SUEZ, the company that collects Somerset’s waste is warning it may cease operations. Twenty thousand pounds is being spent cleaning red paint off the front of County Hall in Taunton following a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. An occupational therapist at Yeovil Hospital has won an award for her smart appearance at work...and more.

SUEZ, the company that collects all of Somerset’s waste, is warning it may cease operations unless it is paid more for its services. SUEZ was awarded a 6-year contract worth £24 million a year by Somerset Council in 2020 to collect all kerbside waste, recycled waste, and garden waste but says the contract is no longer viable. It's asking Somerset Council to pay millions more to keep the contract going. Somerset Council is now negotiating a new deal with SUEZ to stop it exiting the contract.

Agratas, the company building the four-billion-pound car battery factory at Puriton near Bridgwater, says it aims to have the plant ready for use by 2026. The factory on the Gravity site, between Puriton and Woolavington, will create four thousand new jobs.

Twenty-thousand pounds of taxpayers' money must be spent cleaning red paint off County Hall in Taunton. The front of the building was splashed with red paint in a protest against Somerset Council providing office space to a defence company with alleged links to Israel. The company has denied the allegation.

An occupational therapist at Yeovil Hospital has won an award for her smart appearance at work. Emily Alden has been given a Uniform Hero Award after entering a photo of herself in her white tunic and green trousers to a competition held as part of International Uniform Day.

Chard Cricket Club has reduced its carbon footprint by installing solar panels on the clubhouse roof. The installation of the solar panels has been paid for with a grant from the English Cricket Board.

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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