Wednesday 7th February

Wednesday, 7 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Government has told Somerset Council that it can't put up its share of the Council Tax by 10%. Dozens of jobs have been safeguarded at Thales UK in Templecombe following the award of a major government contract. Plans have been passed to build a block of flats at Grimsby Corner on Wyndham Street in Yeovil...and more.

The Government has turned down a request by Somerset Council to increase its share of the Council Tax by 10 percent. The Council, which has to cut spending by £100 million to avoid going bust, wanted to impose the 10 percent increase without a referendum. Somerset Council’s share of the Council Tax will now rise by the maximum allowed of 5 percent.

Dozens of jobs have been safeguarded at Thales UK in Templecombe following the award of a major government contract. The order worth £1.85 billion is to supply the Royal Navy with sonar, periscopes, and electronic warfare equipment and will also protect jobs at Thales UK in Plymouth and Bristol. It’s thought up to 20 new jobs could be created in Templecombe, with around 100 jobs created at businesses that supply Thales.

The go-ahead’s been given to build 100 new homes in the village of Coat near Martock. The scheme will be on land opposite the recently completed Coat Grove estate of 120 properties. The developer is providing one million pounds for local school places, including £154,000 for the early years provision at Martock Primary School, £546,000 for the primary school's main provision and £348,000 to Stanchester Academy in the neighbouring village of Stoke-sub-Hamdon.

Police are trying to trace a man who visits Martock and Yeovil in connection with an enquiry into harassment. Luke Hansford, who’s 40, is described as white, 5ft 8 tall, of medium build with brown eyes and short brown hair. Anyone who sees him is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

Plans have been passed to build a block of flats at Grimsby Corner on Wyndham Street in Yeovil. Numbers 18 to 21 Wyndham Street will be demolished and replaced with a six-storey block, comprising of forty-two one-bedroom and six two-bedroom flats. Vehicular access to the complex will be via Earle Street, with five parking spaces and 54 cycle spaces provided within the site.

An event is being held in Chard to give residents and business owners a say in shaping the town’s future. The ‘Your Town, Your Community, Your Choice’ event takes place over two days on Monday, February 26, and Tuesday, February 27 at Chard Guildhall from 5.30 pm to 7 pm.

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Wednesday 11th March

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Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

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Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more
Tuesday 3rd March

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