Tuesday 4th February

Tuesday, 4 February 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset has been permitted to increase its Council Tax share by 7.5 percent. An Ilminster man, forced out of his house by last week's floods, says he doesn't know when he will be able to return home. Ilminster Literary Festival has launched its annual children’s writing competition, designed to encourage local children to write creative literature...and more.

The government is giving Somerset Council more breathing space to help sort out its finances. The Council, which is limited to increasing the Council Tax by 5 percent, is facing a shortfall of £66 million on planned spending during the financial year 205/26. But, after writing to the government, the Council has been told it can break the 5 percent limit and increase Council Tax by 7.5 per cent. It will add an average of £130 extra to Council Tax bills from April. Lib Dem Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, says although welcome, the increase will still not raise enough money to fill the funding gap of £66 million, and capital receipts from property sales will have to be used to pay day-to-day running costs.

One week after being forced to leave his home due to flooding, an Ilminster man says he's still no closer to moving back in. Ben Perham's home on Ditton Street was left underwater during last Monday’s heavy storms, forcing him to leave. He says the process to get back into the house is moving very slowly. Meanwhile, the Co-op in St James Street in South Petherton has re-opened after being closed by flooding. The shop says that while it's open, it will be some time yet before they’re fully back to normal.

Avon and Somerset Police is to get £30 million more to spend in the next financial year. The government has allocated an extra one billion pounds to England’s police forces, with £100 million ring-fenced for employing community support officers.

The Village Agents scheme in Somerset says the government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments has hit people really hard in Somerset. They say hundreds of people have asked for help, after not being able to pay their heating bills.

Rail passengers planning to travel between Taunton and Weston- Super-mare this week are being advised that no trains will be running on the line due to engineering works. A replacement bus service will operate instead up to Saturday.

Ilminster Literary Festival has launched its annual children’s writing competition, designed to encourage and support local children in writing creative literature. The closing date for entries is March 28th, with the winners announced on May 16th.

More from News

Wednesday 5th February

The Liberal Democrat Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, says they had no choice but to ask the government to allow them to lift the 5 percent cap on raising Council Tax. Two teenagers have been released on bail following the stabbing in Yeovil. More than six thousand pounds has been awarded to local groups by Chard Carnival Committee...and more.
Monday 3rd February

Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with a stabbing in Yeovil. Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP... and more.
Friday 31st January

A teenager has been arrested following a stabbing in Yeovil. Water bills in Somerset are set to go up on average by £123 from April. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance will officially open Yeovil’s new outdoor performance space later today...and more
Thursday 30th January

Lloyds bank is closing its branch in Chard. A Sherborne man has been jailed after defrauding a Yeovil woman of £40,000. A volunteer group in Chard is urging people to sign up to a flood victims register. A councillor in Shepton Mallet has become the first Reform UK member on Somerset Council... and more
Wednesday 29th January

New mums in Somerset could soon be offered a cervical screening test six weeks after giving birth. Police are asking for help in finding a Yeovil man wanted on recall to prison. The government has given half a million pounds towards planting more trees in Somerset, including 100 new trees in Yeovil...and more
Tuesday 28th January

Work continues to clean up from the floods in Chard, Ilminster, Somerton, South Petherton, and parts of Yeovil. A man who threatened to kill a support worker at the mental health unit in Yeovil has been sentenced to a community order. A competition that gives new musicians the chance to play at this year's Glastonbury festival has opened for entries...and more
Monday 27th January

A major incident has been declared by Somerset Council to ensure a multi-agency response to the flash flooding that's affected Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, South Petherton and parts of Yeovil. Police believe a 4x4 pick-up truck, found submerged in the River Yeo at Yeovilton at the weekend, may have been stolen. An appeal to raise £2 million to restore the Grand Organ at Wells Cathedral has raised over £1 million in less than 18 months...and more
News Friday 24th January

Plans have been submitted to build a David Lloyd Health and Fitness Club in Yeovil. Carers in Somerset say spending cuts to mental health support services will be hugely damaging. People with memories of Somerset women's cricket side are being asked to take part in a project to preserve its history. Two of our local restaurants have been listed in the top 100 restaurants in the UK...and more