News roundup

Friday, 22 September 2023

Featured news

Recovery work underway after Somerset communities are hit by flooding

Somerset Council teams have supported communities after widespread thunderstorms and heavy rain brought flooding across the county last Sunday (17 September).

A number of homes and businesses across West Somerset and Wellington were flooded. The Council has been working with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to get an accurate picture of how many people have been affected. It’s estimated about a month’s rainfall fell in one day.

Both the A39 and A396 were closed on Sunday due to flooding and several other roads were badly damaged.

Somerset Recycling Week launches with highest ever recycling rate

Somerset Council launched its ‘Recycling Week’ this week with a celebration as their latest recycling tracker shows Somerset’s recycling rate reaching its highest ever level at 56.4%.

First pioneered by Somerset Waste Partnership in 2008, the tracker shows what happens to every tonne of household waste – where it goes, the companies involved and its likely use as new packaging and products.

The tracker shows that in 2022/23 more than 142,500 tonnes of material was collected for recycling and reuse, and of that 96.6% stayed in the UK for reprocessing – including 54.4% staying in Somerset.

Promoted news

Help and support with #NationalBreastfeedingWeek 2023

Image courtesy of DHSC / NHS

Breastfeeding is great for both you and your baby; it helps build a strong bond and is good for your baby's overall health.

Breast milk provides all the nutrition your baby needs in their first 6 months and boosts their ability to fight illness and infection. Babies who aren't breastfed are more likely to get diarrhoea and chest infections.

But, as with anything new, it's something you need to learn how to do and it's normal to experience the odd set back. Luckily, Start for Life is here to help.

E-learning launched during ‘ICON’ week to help parents cope with infant crying

“Babies cry, you can cope!” is the message from Somerset Council’s Public Health team this September for ICON week – a campaign to prevent the serious brain injury that can occur as a result of forceful shaking of an infant.

According to NHS research, brain trauma – caused when a baby is hit or shaken – is the most common severe injury in babies. Research shows that some parents and caregivers can lose control when a baby’s crying becomes too much. Some go on to shake a baby with devastating consequences.

Could you or someone you know be missing out on Pension Credit?

YouTube Video: DWP Pension Credit TV advert

If you’re over State Pension age, Pension Credit could give you extra money. Pension Credit is separate to the State Pension, and you may still be eligible if you own your home or have savings.

If you’re eligible for Pension Credit, you can also get other financial assistance such as help with heating costs, housing benefit and a free TV licence for over 75s.

With the average claim being £3,500 a year, it could make a real difference to your life.

Latest articles

BT prosecuted for carrying out street works without permission

British Telecommunications (BT) has been fined for carrying out work on Somerset’s highway network without adequate traffic management or a valid street works permit. The works were carried out last March on Ilminster Road in Ruishton.

Yeovil Refresh: Wyndham Street area works to commence

The next phase of planned public realm enhancement works to Yeovil Town Centre will commence in the Wyndham Street area from Monday, 25 September as part of the Yeovil Refresh scheme. Ahead of this, preparatory work will be taking place in the streets within the area, which includes the end of Middle Street, sections of Sherbourne Road, Wyndham Street and Newton Road.

Major £7.5m expansion to Chard school complete

Holyrood Academy in Chard now benefits from 225 additional pupil places, following the completion of the Holyrood Academy expansion project. Funded by Somerset Council and developer contributions, the £7.5 million school improvement project includes the new two-storey ‘Bennett Building’, housing a purpose-built kitchen and dining area, an additional six classrooms, new office spaces and meeting rooms, and a new school reception area.

Young people can make a difference and be heard – stand for the Youth Parliament

From this month, young people aged 11 – 17 who live in Somerset or go to school, college or a youth club here have the opportunity to influence change by nominating themselves to stand for election as a Member of the Youth Parliament (MYP). Nominations are open, and the deadline closes on midnight Sunday 12 November. Somerset’s MYPs represent 3 areas – Taunton Deane & Somerset West, Bridgwater & Sedgemoor, and South Somerset & Mendip.

Don’t lose your vote

Somerset residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them. The annual canvass allows Somerset Council to keep the electoral register up to date, to identify who risks losing their voice at elections, and to encourage them to register before it is too late.

New multi-user path reconnects communities after 60 years

A new multi-user path has opened in Easton, connecting the village with Westbury-sub-Mendip for the first time since the railway line closed in September 1963. The new path has been made possible thanks to Somerset Council, The Strawberry Line Society, Greenways & Cycleroutes, contractors MP & KM Golding Ltd, local landowners and volunteers.

Somerset celebrates the community launch of its new Tree Strategy

Somerset’s Tree strategy has been formally launched to community groups with the introduction of two new staff who will drive the ambitious plan forward. James Chapman and Craig Daters were introduced to nearly 100 representatives from community groups and other interested parties at a launch event last week.

Plans for Wellington Sports Centre green revamp a step closer

Plans for a refurbished and greener Wellington Sports Centre have cleared an important hurdle. The proposals cover maintenance works needed to keep the building fit for purpose, along with a suite of ‘decarbonisation’ improvements funded by a government grant. The project still needs planning approval before it can proceed and a decision on this is expected in mid-October.