Wednesday 5th February

Wednesday, 5 February 2025 at 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.

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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