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News roundup
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 Don't get caught out - flooding can happen to you
Recent polling suggests nearly 60% of households at risk from flooding do not believe their homes could flood. But just because flooding hasn't happened to you in the past, it doesn't mean it won't happen in the future.
In England there are around 5.5 million properties at risk of flooding. The research shows that people who haven’t taken any action to prepare for flooding are in the clear minority (36%), but this still means that as many as 1.9 million households who are at risk are yet to prepare. With climate change already causing more frequent, intense flooding and sea level rise, we all need to know what to do, should the worst happen.
The risks of not taking action
According to the Environment Agency, the average cost of flooding to a home is around £30,000. Flooding also brings a significant risk to life. The mental health impacts of flooding can last for 2 years or more after flooding has happened. Depression, anxiety and PTSD can affect up to a third of people who have been flooded.
But, crucially, taking steps to prepare for flooding, and knowing what to do in a flood can significantly reduce the damages to a home and possessions (by around 40%), reduce risk to life, and reduce the likelihood of suffering from mental health impacts in the future.
Know how to Prepare. Act. Survive.
The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to prepare for flooding, which could help keep you and your family safe, and save you thousands of pounds in damages and disruption. The below infographic sets out the steps you can take.
Somerset Council has been recognised as a leader in its work to respond to the climate emergency.
The authority achieved a score of A- (“Leadership”) from CDP for its performance in 2023. This rating compares to a regional average of B and a Global average of C.
CDP is seen as the ‘gold standard of environmental’ reporting and this is the first time the new Somerset Council has been scored by the not-for-profit charity.
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Recycling and rubbish collection days will be changing for more than 120,000 homes in Somerset in February next year.
The changes come as new collection routes are introduced by Somerset Council’s contractor, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK. The new routes will make rounds more efficient, more manageable for crews whilst reducing mileage and carbon emissions. The changes come at no cost to the council.
In February 2024, recycling and rubbish collection day schedules will change for around 85% of homes in the west of the county, covering the former Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton areas, as well as a small part of South Somerset.
Anyone with a change to their collection day schedule will be written to twice before anything changes.
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All designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales are becoming National Landscapes, including Somerset’s Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills, and Blackdown Hills National Landscapes.
The new name reflects their national importance; the vital contribution they make to protect the nation from the threats of climate change, nature depletion and the wellbeing crisis, whilst also creating greater understanding and awareness for the work that they do.
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Somerset Council’s Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) is ACTIVE in some areas of Somerset.
During this period of severe weather, the Council is seeking to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers to prevent harm or death due to the freezing weather conditions.
The SWEP response is used by many local authorities when there is a forecast of zero degrees or below zero, for three consecutive nights.
Outreach teams are currently contacting rough sleepers in Somerset to encourage them to take up offer of emergency accommodation.
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Two Somerset Council Lead Members, Tessa Munt and Mike Rigby, are stepping down from the Executive at the end of the year.
Council Leader Bill Revans will use the opportunity to review the membership of Executive to help reduce costs as the council responds to the financial emergency.
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The Statement of Persons Nominated for three town council by elections in Somerset have been published, and residents in the electoral areas are reminded that they must be registered if they want to vote.
The by election for the Abbey Manor South Ward at Yeovil Town Council takes place on 14 December.
By elections for the Fairfax East Ward at Bridgwater Town Council, and the Highbridge Ward at Burnham and Highbridge Town Council are scheduled for 18 December 2023.
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Somerset Counci has been awarded nearly £20m for the Toneworks project. The £19,987,663 will provide an opportunity for Somerset Council working in partnership with stakeholders and the community, to transform and sustainably regenerate the nationally significant heritage site at Toneworks and enhance associated land for community use.
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A range of green improvements are on the way for Alcombe Children’s Centre thanks to Somerset Council and government grants.
It is estimated the revamp of the building in Minehead will deliver carbon savings of nearly twelve tonnes per year, contributing to the Council’s commitment to creating a greener and more sustainable county in line with its Climate Emergency actions.
The project is being made possible with £250k from the Council’s successful bid to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
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Somerset Council and the Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) have launched a new campaign asking Somerset residents to look out for members of their community who might be experiencing abuse.
The campaign, called ‘Safeguarding is everyone’s business’, asks that people do their part in supporting their communities by recognising the signs of self-neglect when they see them because self-neglect can be an indicator that someone is being abused. Acting early when you suspect that someone is neglecting themselves could save a person’s life.
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Somerset Council’s Structures Team is carrying out essential work on the B3224 on Exmoor to stabilise a collapsed embankment in the new year.
The damage at Roundwaters between Exford and Wheddon Cross was caused by a falling tree during bad weather just over two years ago and has meant a lane closure and temporary traffic lights have been needed since.
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Somerset Council has been granted £35,000 of funding from National Highways’ Designated Funding programme for an initial feasibility looking at the possibility of repairing/enhancing and relocating the Willow Man.
Created by artist Serena De la Hay and unveiled in 2000, Willow Man, close to Junction 23 of the M5 has deteriorated in recent years and is now barely recognisable.
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Somerset Business Hub and Heart of the South West (HoTSW) Growth Hub jointly hosted a free networking event for small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) to learn about digital storytelling.
The networking event took place in Wanstrow, near Frome and welcomed a mix of businesses, including digital production companies, hospitality, publishing and consultancy companies.
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A host of English language learning and support resources are available online as part of the Transparent Language Online (TLO) service, available to anyone wishing to learn, improve or brush up on their language skills.
The TLO service is completely free and available to all Somerset Libraries members. With over 110 different languages available, the service offers a wide range of learning tools suitable for both adults and children – including a child-specific course called ‘KidSpeak.’
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