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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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

A woman from Ilminster has been jointly charged with another woman after a man’s body was found inside a car in Cornwall. Somerset businesses, involved in the supply chain for Leonardo, have welcomed the news that the Leonardo factory in Yeovil is to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Plans have been submitted to build thirty-two homes in Milborne Port... and more
Monday 2nd March

The Leonardo factory in Yeovil has won a multi-million pound contract to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. A doctor, who previously worked at Yeovil Hospital, has appeared in court charged with illegally accessing NHS computers. A new Construction Innovation Centre has opened at Yeovil College... and more
Friday 27th February

The CEO of Leonardo has suggested the UK government could make an announcement immindently about ordering new medium lift helicopters to be built in Yeovil. A family run hardware business in Yeovil has gone into administration. The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset has been named the new patron of Somerset Chamber of Commerce... and more
Thursday 26th February

Workers at Leonardo in Yeovil have been to Downing Street to hand-in a petition calling on the government to back British jobs. The decision to grant planning permission to upgrade Yeovil's Octagon Theatre has been enthusiastically welcomed by staff who work there. The search is on to find a defibrillator that has gone missing in Chard... and more
Wednesday 25th February

Plans have been passed to carry out a £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre. A new medical unit providing NHS and private treatments has opened in Shepton Mallet. Manor Court Community Primary School in Chard is celebrating after receiving a Gold Artsmark for excellence in arts and cultural education...and more
Tuesday 24th February

First Bus has announced changes to bus timetables on routes across Somerset. A Somerset drone company is celebrating getting through the audition round of ITV’s Britain's Got Talent. A public footpath in South Somerset is set to remain closed for up to two years... and more