Wednesday 21st February

Wednesday, 21 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Unions claim up to one thousand jobs could be cut at Somerset Council. People in Chard are being asked for suggestions about where in the town a cinema could be opened. The Gateway in Yeovil is the venue for a concert tonight, marking the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine...and more

A demonstration was held outside yesterday’s Somerset Council meeting at which cuts in spending of £100 million were approved, threatening the jobs of hundreds of Council workers. The Liberal Democrat-run authority says it has no alternative but to make the savings to avoid the Council going bankrupt. Nigel Behan from the union Unite says one thousand jobs at Somerset Council are at risk.

People in Chard are being asked for suggestions about where in the town a cinema could be opened. Local councillor, Connor Payne, who’s leading a campaign for a cinema in Chard is working with S and B Cinemas who run cinemas in Burnham-on-Sea, Minehead and Frome to make a cinema for Chard a reality. Councillor Payne would also welcome suggestions for a name for the cinema and can be contacted at: connor.payne@somerset.gov.uk

A former Castle Cary pub has moved closer to becoming a Co-op store. The Horse Pond Inn in The Triangle closed five years ago, with planning permission granted two years ago to convert it to a food outlet. Now, Co-Operative Food Ltd has submitted plans to install new signage at the former pub. When open, the store will have 3,000 square feet of floor space and 13 parking spaces.

Work has been completed on a 4-year project to smarten up the look of Chard town centre. The Chard Heritage Action Project has involved laying new pavements and freshening shop fronts. Restoration work has also been carried out on many of the 136 Listed Buildings in Chard, including the Guildhall and Chard School.

The Gateway in Yeovil is the venue for a concert of Ukrainian music and dance tonight, marking the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The performance starts at 8 pm with tickets at £10 available at the door. All proceeds will go to Aid for Ukraine.

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Four Somerset businesses, including one in Yeovil, have been handed a total of £170,000 in civil penalties for employing illegal workers. National garage chain ATS Euromaster has closed its branch in Wincanton. A farmer in Wincanton is being hailed as a hero after rescuing his pigs from a burning barn... and more
Thursday 13th March

A new campaign has been launched to persuade people in Somerset to stop smoking. Four people have been arrested in Chard in connection with the supply of Class A drugs. A dog from Yeovil has won the title of ‘best in breed’ at Cruffs....and more.
Wednesday 12th March

A charity in Somerset is appealing for support after one of its sites was vandalised. The Leader of Somerset Council has been to Westminster to put the case for central government to provide councils with more money. A new primary school is to built in Chard.... and more
Tuesday 11th March

The union representing workers at Somerset Council is warning of further job cuts at the council next year. Secondary school pupils in Somerset are being offered help to withstand peer pressure to vape or smoke. The bells of St George's Church in Hinton St George have been fully restored after becoming difficult to ring ... and more
Monday 10th March

A property in Raglan Terrace in Yeovil has been closed down by a court order after it was linked to anti-social behaviour. NHS Somerset says investing in nurse apprenticeships has helped to boost recruitment. A new community garden has opened in Chard.... and more
Friday 7th March

The Leader of Somerset Council has repeated his call for a reform of the way that councils are funded. Crimestoppers is stepping up efforts to help tackle violent crime in Somerset. A new radar satellite is playing a crucial role in collecting data about flooding in Somerset...and more
Thursday 6th March

Somerset Council has approved a seven-and-a-half percent increase in council tax. People are being asked to return boxes of paracetamol bought from Boots Chemists in Somerset. It’s been revealed that five members of staff at Somerset Council are being allowed to work from home outside the UK...and more
Wednesday 5th March

Somerset Council has been told that hundreds of millions of pounds in loans taken out by former district councils, including South Somerset, have to be paid back. A Somerset charity says it needs more volunteers to help with research into new treatments for dementia. A local shop owner has welcomed Somerset Council’s decision to scrap plans to charge for parking after 6 pm...and more.