Thursday 2nd November

Thursday, 2 November 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

There's major disruption across Somerset this morning caused by Storm Ciaran with schools closed, and roads and train lines flooded. Somerset Council says it will shortly publish details of how it plans to control spending to prevent the authority going bankrupt. An auction of the fixtures and fittings at Dillington House near Ilminster held on Monday earlier this week raised more than £100,000...and more.

There's major disruption across Somerset this morning caused by Storm Ciaran with schools closed, and roads and train lines flooded. Rail operators including GW, Cross Country, and South Western Railway are all reporting cancellations. The Environment Agency has issued seven warnings and eight alerts for local flooding.

Somerset Council says it will shortly publish details of how it plans to control spending to prevent the authority from going bankrupt. Auditors have warned of a potential £130 million overspend in the next two years, with the Council facing a budget gap of £80 million in the 2024-25 financial year, and another £50 million in 2025-26. The Council says a doubling in the cost of providing adult and child social care is largely to blame for its financial problems.

A public inquiry is to be held into plans to build one hundred new homes in South Chard. An application to build the homes on land between Perry Street and Factory Lane in December 2021 was refused. Now, the developers, The Crossman Group, have lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to overturn this decision, with a public inquiry expected to be held early in the New Year.

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.

An auction of the fixtures and fittings at Dillington House near Ilminster held on Monday earlier this week raised more than £100,000. Dillington House which had been a conference and wedding venue run by Somerset Council closed in September. Of the 500 lots sold, a Waterford Crystal chandelier fetched the highest price at £3,700.

Volunteers and community groups in Chard are working together to collect Christmas presents for families in need. The Forefront Community Centre, Lord’s Larder Foodbank, Chard Community Hub, and South Chard Church are asking for new, unwrapped toys and gifts for children, who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present. Items can be dropped off at Forefront Community Centre, Chard Community Hub, and South Chard Church, up to Friday, November 29th.

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Thursday 3rd April

Two-thirds of employers in Somerset say the hike in employers' National Insurance will mean cutting staff. Police are investigating incidents of repeated damage at Somerton recreation ground. A man has been arrested in Chard on suspicion of indecent exposure. The story of the Monmouth Rebellion is being told in a new exhibition...and more
Wednesday 2nd April

Leonardo Helicopters has won a £165 million repair and maintenance contract that will secure 200 jobs at the Yeovil factory. Police are searching for a thief who stole a safe containing £1500 in cash from a pub in Ilminster. Alzheimer's UK says the number of people with dementia in Somerset is massively under-recorded... and more.
Tuesday 1st April

Police are investigating the cause of a suspicious fire at the former Oscar Mayer site in Chard. Yeovil Town owner, Martin Hellier, has stepped down as club chairman. According to the website, Property Solvers, Martock has the slowest housing market in Somerset. A new Head Teacher has been appointed to run Sexeys School in Bruton...and more
Monday 31st March

Yeovil Town owner Martin Hellier has announced his intention to put the club up for sale. Somerset Chamber of Commerce says small businesses are bracing themselves for a challenging year. The Children's Hospice South West founder, Eddie Farwell, has died. Tintinhull Gardens near Yeovil have reopened for the new season...and more
Friday 28th March

First Bus has invested £12 million in buying 26 electric buses to run on routes in Somerset. Approval has been given to build 18 new homes in South Petherton. Somerset’s recycling sites, including Yeovil, will revert to their spring opening times next week. This year’s Somerset Drama Festival has been won by Ilminster Entertainments Society...and more.
Thursday 27th March

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has criticised the Chancellor for not reforming business rates in her Spring Statement. Fifteen schools in Somerset are to be equipped with new facilities for children with special educational needs. A charity in Yeovil is appealing for donations of new underwear to give to people who are homeless...and more
Wednesday 26th March

The remains of a Roman settlement have been discovered near Langport. Chard Town Council has issued a formal apology over some of its recent conduct. Visitors to Ham Hill Country Park are being asked to tread carefully and keep pets on leads to protect breeding skylarks nesting at ground-level...and more
Tuesday 25th March

A teenage boy has been arrested following an incident in Castle Cary. Somerset Council has announced “wide-ranging improvements” to bus services. Work has started upgrading a doctor’s surgery in Chard. The finalists have been announced for this year’s Somerset Business Awards...and more