Monday 29th July

Monday, 29 July 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Support for Somerset residents struggling to pay their council tax bills could be cut from April next year. RMT members at First Bus in Somerset are planning further strike action. A movie written and produced by an ex-Yeovil College media student is to be premiered at Cineworld in Yeovil...and more

Support for Somerset residents struggling to pay their council tax bills could be cut from April next year to save more than £6 million. Somerset Council currently operates a council tax reduction scheme, providing discounts for single people, couples, and families. This costs around £29 million of which £16 million funds discounts to working-age people. The council has now launched a consultation into the scheme, aimed at reducing the discount available by £6 million a year.

More disruption is looming for local bus travellers. RMT members at First Bus in Somerset plan further strike action in support of their pay claim on Friday, August 9th and Monday, August 12th with an overtime ban on Saturday, August 10th and Sunday, August 11th. First Bus has urged the RMT to halt the action and engage in more talks.

A Chard man has been arrested after drugs were found at a property in Tatworth. The search was conducted by officers from the Chard Neighbourhood Policing Team assisted by members of the Regional Organised Crime squad. The man, who’s 37, was arrested on suspicion of importing class B drugs into the UK, with intent to supply.

Britain in Bloom judges are in Yeovil today. The town is competing in the large town category of Britain in Bloom having scored high marks with Yeovil in Bloom in last year’s regional competition.

A movie written and produced by an ex-Yeovil College media student is to be premiered at Cineworld in Yeovil. Connor Raithby has booked one of the big screens at Cineworld to show 'Stapler', a film that follows the adventures of a beleaguered white-collar worker and an office stapler that talks. 'Staple' will be given its premiere at Cineworld on Friday, August 2nd. Tickets are free and can be obtained by emailing Connor at: connorraithby@gmail.com

More from News

Thursday 17th July

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has serious concerns about plans that could see the closure of inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital. Ilminster residents are being asked to vote in a referendum on adopting a new neighbourhood plan for the town. An event in which people take part in a race against horses is returning to Somerset later this year...and more
Wednesday 16th July

A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. Crewkerne Community Hospital could be turned into a neighbourhood health centre...and more.
Tuesday 15th July

The fire service has blamed a discarded portable barbecue for starting a blaze at Ham Hill Country Park. A care home for people with autism and complex needs in Crewkerne has been rated 'good'. A seven-year-old Yeovil boy has set a new world record for completing the most number of consecutive sit-ups for his age group...and more
Monday 14th July

Somerset Council is warning motorists against scanning QR codes at its car parks payment meters. Chard Town Council is spending £10,000 on short-term youth provision over the summer months. Former Yeovil Town player Marcus Stewart says he wants to continue raising money towards finding a cure for motor neurone disease...and more.
Friday 10th July

A Yeovil woman has shared how she is still on the waiting list for a transplant, a year on. A Crewkerne community group saved two tonnes of food from landfill last month and gave it to residents in need. Yeovil Town have announced their fixture list for the 2025/26 season....and more.
Thursday 10th July

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the South West. A former Cherry Farm in Chard has donated its netting and high-tensile wire to Somerset Aid for Ukraine. Somerset Council is moving forward with its next phase of plans for the county...and more.
Wednesday 9th July

Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered. Refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store is underway. A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition... and more.
Tuesday 8th July

Adam Dance, MP has challenged the Government over a "failure to tackle rising levels of child poverty" in South Somerset. A man in Chard has been evicted from a property in the town. Temporary changes are being put in place at Yeovil Bus Station... and more