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

Friday 16th January

The go-ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent a year. Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama being shown on Netflix from this week...and more
Thursday 15th January

The company behind a proposed tidal lagoon between Watchet and Minehead says it could create up to eight thousand jobs. A third councillor on Somerset Council has joined Reform UK. St Margaret's Hospice says this year’s Christmas tree collection scheme raised forty-seven thousand pounds...and more.
Wednesday 14th January

The union representing workers at Leonardo in Yeovil says it needs a clear answer from the government on whether the Yeovil factory will be awarded a contract to build new medium-lift helicopters for the RAF. Somerset Council says more support will be provided to foster carers. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels...and more
Tuesday 13th January

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more
Monday 12th January

Leonardo is threatening to shut its Yeovil factory. Somerset Community Foundation says there's still time to donate money to its Surviving Winter Appeal. The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging a number of special performances to mark its 50th anniversary...and more.
Friday 9th January

A Yeovil man has been arrested and then de-arrested after a collision in Dorset. A Somerset food manufacturer could be expanding its Wincanton base. A new dementia-friendly choir has been launched in Yeovil...and more.
Thursday 8th January

Adam Dance MP is welcoming developments in his campaign to support neurodivergent schoolchildren. Somerset was the star of the small screen last night, thanks to BBC comedy ‘Can You Keep A Secret’. A Yeovil gymnastics club has hosted a VIP guest...and more.
Wednesday 7th January

Somerset's Lib Dem MPs have described a one per cent rise in Council funding as 'profoundly disappointing'. A new independent cinema will open next month in Wincanton. We’re facing the chance of heavy snow with Storm Goretti hitting the region on Thursday...and more.