Wednesday 4th June

Wednesday, 4 June 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council states that gas canisters were responsible for igniting six fires at local sorting facilities last year. A leading medical academic in the South West says vaccine fatigue could be the reason why so many vulnerable people are not having a COVID-19 spring booster jab. Avon and Somerset Police say the waiting time for calls to be answered to the non-emergency number 101 has been cut to an average of 11 seconds...and more

Somerset Council say that gas canisters, such as those used for camping stoves, were responsible for igniting six fires at local sorting facilities last year. It's warning of the dangers of putting out canisters with other household waste for collection at the kerbside. The council is asking that gas canisters be taken to local recycling sites, where they can be safely disposed of free of charge.

A leading academic in the South West says vaccine fatigue could be the reason why so many vulnerable people are not having a COVID-19 spring booster jab. Dr Bharat Pankhania from the University of Exeter was commenting after NHS Somerset revealed that 7 out of 10 clinically vulnerable people have yet to receive a Covid Spring booster. He says regular boosters are vital to protecting against catching Covid.

People in Somerset have just ten weeks in which to give their views on how the County’s electoral map could be redrawn ahead of the next local elections in 2027. Somerset Council was created with 110 elected members, two for each of the 55 divisions on boundaries inherited from Somerset County Council, and is now proposing to cut the number of councillors to 96. For further details about the changes and to leave a comment, go to the Somerset Council website

A Somerset father has described government cuts to therapy funding for adopted children as "extremely cruel". Jeremy Wilson, who has three adopted children, says a 40% reduction in the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund will be damaging to families like his.

A section of Ilchester Road in Yeovil will again be closed to traffic in both directions from 6 pm this evening to 6 am tomorrow. It’s to allow Wessex Water to carry essential repairs to a water main.

Avon and Somerset Police say the waiting time for calls to 101 to be answered has been cut to an average of 11 seconds. They say updates to the non-emergency number now mean that simple queries are responded to quickly, with more time-consuming calls passed to call handlers.

More from News

Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more