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News roundup
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Alcohol Awareness Week - Sally's Story
Four recovering dependent drinkers have shared their powerful stories during #AlcoholAwarenessWeek.
This year’s campaign focuses on the theme of ‘alcohol and cost’ and explores the costs – both visible and hidden – of alcohol related issues. The total social cost of alcohol to society is estimated to be at least £21 billion each year, but the personal costs are also alarming, with alcohol death rates increasing to the highest rate since records began from the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Somerset’s campaign features four video testimonies of people’s alcohol use leading them to seek help from Turning Point’s Somerset’s Drugs and Alcohol Service (SDAS), whose support they described as “lifesaving”.
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Budding entrepreneurs and people keen to brush up on their job skills are invited to a free event, organised by Somerset Council, at the Glass Box, Taunton Library on 13 July, between 12pm and 4.30pm.
The event is aimed at supporting people who are thinking of setting up their own business and/or those who are keen to sharpen up their employment skills to improve their career.
On the day there will be a programme of inspirational speakers – including local entrepreneurs Lizzie Ginbey from Teapot Creative and Jon Rata from Redefining Accounting, both keen to pass on their experience and advice on finding pathways to business success.
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Somerset Council is asking for patience as the county faces major disruption to its waste collections if strikes go ahead next week.
Industrial action by members of the Unite union is due to start on Wednesday 12 July, striking on Wednesday, Thursday Friday, each week for the four weeks from Wednesday 12 July to Friday 4 August.
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Businesses, such as delis or bakeries who prepare then package food for sale, are being urged not to put their customers at risk and read trading standards guidance to help them stay on the right side of the law.
The warning comes after trading standards found that 56 out of 100 businesses in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, were in breach of new Government rules which require full ingredient and allergen labelling on all food made on premises and pre-packed for direct sale.
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On Wednesday this week (5 July), County Hall in Taunton was illuminated blue to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
The Somerset Council building joined other iconic and historic monuments across the nation, including the London Eye, Blackpool illuminations and Wembley Arch, along with many hospitals, sport stadiums and civic centres.
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During the NHS Parliamentary Awards held in London on Wednesday (5 July), which coincided with the NHS' 75th birthday, it was announced that Somerset’s Homelessness Health in Somerset – the Homeless and Rough Sleeper Nursing Service and salaried inclusion Health GPs (NHS) – was the overall winner in the Health Equalities category, after having been nominated by Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow.
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Time to apply for free voter ID ahead of the Somerton and Frome by-election is running out. The deadline is 5pm Wednesday, 12 July.
For the first time at a Somerset Parliamentary by-election, voters will need to show photo ID to receive their ballot paper in polling stations. Those without an accepted type of ID can apply online for a Voter Authority Certificate or by applying for and submitting a paper form to Somerset Council’s electoral services team.
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Somerset Council will be introducing new parking charges across the county following a review which will give consistency and cover inflationary costs.
During August, there will be an overall 10% rise in parking charges across Somerset – though this will vary from car park to car park, in some the increase will be very slightly above or below 10%, as the new fee will be rounded up to the nearest 10p.
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Somerset Council is providing free shuttle bus services and a range of other support measures for communities during a major road repair scheme on the A30 in West Coker near Yeovil.
Ahead of works commencing on 21 July, the Council is also running a public drop-in event with West Coker Parish Council on Wednesday, 12 July in the Village Hall at Churlands Close, to cover both the A30 works and the indefinite closure of nearby Chinnock Hollow.
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Somerset Council’s highways team are investigating and solving a drainage issue on the A3088 Cartgate Link Road this month.
The road will be closed between the A303/A3088 roundabout to the roundabout that connects the A3088 with Bunford Lane.
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The next phase of planned public realm enhancement works to Yeovil Town Centre will commence on 10 July 2023 with a focus on practical and aesthetic improvements, as well as widescale underground utility works, to the popular shopping area of Middle Street.
Five key areas of change have been identified for enhancement in this area which once completed will result in widened footways; raised seating planters, street tree and ornamental planting; flexible paving space; creation of blue badge parking bays; improved street lighting and new bench seating; and a more appealing, safer, enjoyable, fit for purpose environment for residents, visitors and businesses alike.
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Somerset Council is preparing for a summer of playdays for young people.
Sedgemoor Playday will take place on Wednesday, 2 August, between 10am and 3pm at Apex Park, Highbridge.
This free event comprises over 40 activities including a climbing wall, inflatables, archery, family circus, football, tennis and more, and will allow parents to have a day-off from spending their hard-earned cash as well as allowing families to spend quality time together.
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Everyone who signs up to purchase one or more tickets in the Somerset West Lottery between now and 29 July 2023 will be in with the chance to win an amazing £1,000 Airbnb voucher.
All tickets bought during this timeframe will automatically be entered into the bonus prize draw, courtesy of the external lottery management company Gatherwell, as well as being in with a chance to win up to £25,000 in the weekly lottery run by Somerset Council.
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