Friday 3rd November

Friday, 3 November 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council is looking to sell off £220 million of commercial properties at a potential loss of £70 million to help stave off bankruptcy. A teacher in Wincanton has been banned from working in schools after completing a prison sentence for asking pupils to send him indecent images. Despite the damp conditions, tonight's fireworks display at Minterne House near Sherborne is going ahead...and more.

Somerset Council is looking to sell off £220 million of commercial properties at a potential loss of £70 million. The move follows news that Somerset Council has to make huge savings in its spending or face bankruptcy. The Council's portfolio of properties includes ownership of shop premises like the Marks and Spencer store in Yeovil, office buildings and other commercial units both in Somerset and other parts of the country.

A teacher in Wincanton has been banned from working in schools indefinitely after completing a prison sentence for asking pupils to send him indecent images. 35-year-old Scott Evans, who taught at King Arthur’s School, served a two-year-and-four-month prison sentence after being convicted in 2021. The Teacher Regulation Authority, part of the Education Department, said there was no evidence that his actions were not deliberate.

The number of councillors on Somerset Council could be cut by the time of the next local elections. The Council currently has 110 members which is the third highest of any upper-tier or unitary authority in England. Now, the Local Government Boundary Commission is to hold a review and has indicated the number of seats on Somerset Council could reduce to between 70 and 90 by the time the next local elections in May 2027. The review will also look into the boundaries of the existing council divisions and may rename some divisions to reflect their local character.

Despite the damp conditions, Minterne House near Sherborne say their fireworks display tonight is going ahead as planned. Gates to the house open at 5 pm with the fireworks starting at 7.30 pm.

More from News

Friday 20th February

10,000 incidents of potholes on Somerset’s roads have been reported to Somerset Council in the past four weeks. The Met Office is warning of more unsettled weather into March for Somerset. The Crowshute link in Chard will close for eight nights next month for road repairs... and more
Thursday 19th February

Yeovil fire station is to undergo a major refurbishment. A Yeovil based charity is appealing for adults to become mentors to young people. A Somerset woman has completed a 10,000 kilometre solo bike ride across Africa... and more
Wednesday 18th February

New figures have shown a rise in cases of suicide involving farmers, including in Somerset. Plans to merge the parishes of Castle Cary and Ansford have been scrapped. A Somerset-based charity working to end homelessness is marking its 50th anniversary... and more
Tuesday 17th February

Avon and Somerset Police are asking the owners of replica guns to hand them in. It's claimed motorists in the Bruton and Wincanton area are paying out hundreds of pounds in repairs due to the poor state of local roads. And, Yeovil Town take on Aldershot at Huish Park tonight... and more
Monday 16th February

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has warned that the Westlands entertainment venue in Yeovil would be at risk should Leonardo not be awarded a government contract to build new medium life helicopters. A Chard woman has been given a suspended jail sentence for carrying a knife in a public place. A petition has been launched to slowdown motorists using Coker Way and Wyatt Way in Chard... and more
Friday 13th February

Somerset Council has dropped plans to close two town centre car parks in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was attacked in her home. The Environment Agency has committed to reviewing its water management of the Somerset Levels following the recent floods... and more
Thursday 12th February

The government says it's ‘working flat out’ to arrive at a decision on ordering a new medium lift helicopter with Leonardo in Yeovil. We’re being asked to suggest where new electric vehicle charge points should be installed in Somerset. A new project is inviting people to look up and help map Somerset’s night skies... and more
Wednesday 11th February

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.