Wednesday 6th November

Wednesday, 6 November 2024 at 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).

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Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
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