Wednesday 5th February

Wednesday, 5 February 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

The Lib Dem Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans

The Liberal Democrat Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, says they had no choice but to ask the government to allow them to lift the 5 percent cap on raising Council Tax. Two teenagers have been released on bail following the stabbing in Yeovil. More than six thousand pounds has been awarded to local groups by Chard Carnival Committee...and more.

The Liberal Democrat Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, says they had no choice but to ask the government to allow them to lift the 5 percent cap on raising Council Tax. The Council is only meant to raise the Council Tax by 5 percent. But to help fill a gap of 66 million pounds in its budget, the government has given Somerset Council permission to increase the Council Tax by seven-and-a-half per cent, beginning from April.

Two teenagers have been released on bail following the stabbing of two people in Yeovil. The teenagers, one aged 15 and the other 16, were arrested following the incident in Raglan Terrace in Yeovil last Wednesday, in which a teenager and a man in his 50s sustained stab wounds. Police say the 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and affray, while the 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of affray and being in possession of a bladed article in a public place. Both have been released on conditional bail. Police are asking that anyone who witnessed the incident or has door-cam footage to please call the non-emergency number 101.

More than six thousand pounds has been awarded to local groups by Chard Carnival Committee. The recipients of the money, raised at last year’s Chard Carnival and the Christmas Parade, include Chard Museum, Ilminster Majorettes, and Crewkerne Scouts.

Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault near Street. It happened on Friday, January 17th at around 5.20 pm in Meadow Lane in Walton when a vehicle was stopped by Police. A male passenger in the vehicle got out and made off on foot, chased by a police officer. After catching up with the man in Broughton Close, the officer was struck in the face by the man. Two other men in the vehicle were arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of class-A drugs. If you witnessed the incident or have dash-cam footage you’re asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

Windmill Hill Lane in Ashill near Ilminster is closed to traffic today for Wessex Internet to carry out fibre cabling work.

More from News

Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.