Wednesday 6th November

Wednesday, 6 November 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

St Margaret's Hospice says increased employer’s national insurance contributions will cost them an extra £300,000 a year. A man has been arrested after more than 200 cannabis plants were found in a Yeovil property. Voting will take place on November 21st in the Blackmore Vale to fill a vacant seat on Somerset Council...and more

St Margaret's Hospice says increased employer’s national insurance contributions will cost them an extra £300,000 a year. It's one of many charities in Somerset that will be hit hard by the rise announced in last week’s budget. Weston Hospicecare says it's facing a bleak financial picture and the disabled children's charity, Brainwave, based in Bridgwater, says its costs will go up by £60,000 a year.

More than 200 cannabis plants have been found inside a disused building in Middle Street in Yeovil. Police say a 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of cultivating a class B drug and remains in custody.

Hundreds of compulsory redundancies at Somerset Council could mean it is left without the right staff to deliver vital services. The risk was highlighted in a report to a meeting of the Council’s Executive.

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for changes to the Southfields roundabout at the junction of the Ilminster by-pass and the A358. Mr Dance says the roundabout is frequently congested, with long tailbacks in all directions especially at peak times, and a solution is needed. He also wants consideration given to making the Ilminster bypass safer for motorists. His comments follow the decision to cancel a £328 million scheme to dual the A358 over to Taunton.

Voting will take place on Thursday, November 21st in the Blackmore Vale to fill a vacant seat on Somerset Council. The candidates standing are Hayward Burt (Conservative); Gregory Chambers (Labour); Peter Ebsworth (Green Party); and Howard Ellard (Liberal Democrat).

More from News

Thursday 3rd September

Fifteen thousand people have signed a petition calling on Somerset Council to cancel plans for a huge data centre in Bridgwater. A nest of Asian hornets has been found in Somerset. More patients in Somerset are set to benefit from a hospital project aimed at restoring independence... and more
Wednesday 2nd September

Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag, has started sending supplies to Nepal to help in the aftermath of the devastating floods. 6,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans for a new relief road in Chard. The Royal British Legion in Somerset is appealing for more volunteers to help run this year’s Poppy Appeal... and more
Tuesday 1st September

One person had to be cut free from a vehicle following a two-vehicle collision on the A30 near Chard. A Yeovil man has been jailed for 7-and-a-half years for supplying cocaine and cannabis. Two Somerset teenagers have become the youngest to swim the Bristol Channel... and more
Friday 28th August

An organisation that investigates loan sharks has opened a branch in Taunton. Free parking on Sundays in Somerset's main towns could end just before Christmas. Local communities in and around Draycott will be able to take advantage of a shuttle bus service... and more.
Thursday 27th August

A 21 mile stretch of the M5 is to be given a 50mph speed limit for three years. Chard remains a safe place to work, live and visit say Avon & Somerset Police. Sunflowers of Somerset is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a photography competition and community activities... and more.
Wednesday 26th August

Two people have been arrested and released under investigation after the death of a baby in Crewkerne. A large sand picture of the prime minister has appeared in Burnham On Sea. The wet winter and hot summer means cider producers are struggling with their yields... and more.
Tuesday 25th August

Fire crews have been dealing with a fire in Ilchester which broke out yesterday afternoon. Somerset’s frontline health services say heatwaves and tourism are making their jobs more difficult. A Chard health store has been named Natural Lifestyle Retailer of the Year.. and more.
Monday 24th August

The Chair of the NFU has repeated calls for a longer-term plan to tackle bluetongue, Three men have been jailed for their involvement in car key burglaries in Somerset. Police say they’re treating a fire in Norton Fitzwarren as suspicious... and more.