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News roundup
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Somerset Council has been left with no option but to consider “unprecedented” and “heart-breaking” steps to bridge a £100m funding gap for the next financial year.
Papers published today give further details of Somerset Council’s plans to bridge a £100m funding gap for the next financial year.
‘Look out for your letter’ is the message from Somerset Council as recycling and rubbish collection days change for more than 120,000 households in western parts of the county in February.
New collection routes are being introduced for many homes in the former Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton areas, as well as a small part of South Somerset.
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Somerset residents will soon be able to dispose of some DIY waste free of charge at Somerset recycling sites – but they will need to book ahead.
Following a recent change of legislation, from 1 January 2024, current charges for disposing of construction and demolition materials including: asbestos, plasterboard, hardcore and rubble from household DIY projects will be removed.
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Broadband provider Truespeed Communications Ltd has been hit with fines and charges totalling more than £34k after pleading guilty to five offences in Somerset.
Somerset Council prosecuted the firm following works carried out in Frome and Street. Truespeed admitted failing to install proper traffic management and guarding broken and excavated road surfaces to ensure the safety of pedestrians on a number of occasions, in breach of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.
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Most of the network is clear but please be aware some smaller roads across the county may be affected by flood water.
Please think before you travel, plan your journey, and drive with caution.
Don’t drive through floodwater, and never move or tamper with road signs, you are putting yourself and others at risk.
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Each year, thousands of people across the UK go alcohol free for Dry January, a national campaign to improve drinking habits across Britain.
The benefits of going dry for 31 days include better sleep, increased energy levels, improved mental health and concentration, a better bank balance and an amazing sense of achievement.
This week, Connect Somerset Champion Doreen shares the success of working with The Wessex Learning Trust in Cheddar.
“By working with key members at the trust, I’m able to communicate more effectively with the 12 schools they support and identify any further assistance these schools may need. This could include gaps in current services individual school projects and support for awareness workshops.
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YouTube video: Resettlement in Somerset – A Landlord’s story
Established by the UK Government, the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was launched in April 2021. In the summer of that year, local authorities were called upon to expand their support to Afghan personnel who worked alongside the British military as interpreters and translators, as well as at-risk citizens.
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As 2024 approaches, people in Somerset are being encouraged to think about volunteering and make it their New Year resolution.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the local community or support a meaningful cause. Somerset Council has around 1,600 volunteers who have found that giving up their time to help others is a way to meet new people, gain new skills and expand their horizons.
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Somerset Councillors joined volunteers to learn more about – and celebrate – the special role played by those who come forward to volunteer for Route 1 – the service that supports children’s social care.
Councillors, who also take on the role of Corporate Parents, listened with interest, asked questions and expressed their thanks.
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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.
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On 28 September 2023, following an investigation, Somerset Council served two Planning Enforcement Notices on the owner and occupiers of the buildings and land at the ZigZag Building near Glastonbury, alleging breaches of planning control.
The owner of the land has appealed the enforcement notices to the Planning Inspectorate, requesting a public inquiry.
Somerset Council’s Highways team is delivering an essential road maintenance scheme in East Cranmore near Shepton Mallet next month.
The A361 Cranmore Road between Dean and East Cranmore is showing signs of wear and tear and needs to be resurfaced.
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Somerset Council has received £1.5m in external funding which could be used to deliver the next phase of a cycling and walking route on the A39 between Carhampton and Minehead.
The ring-fenced grant from Active Travel England could see the route completed if the scheme can be feasibly delivered with minimal disruption.
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Somerset Council has awarded three new contracts to deliver essential road maintenance services as well as improvements on its network across the County.
The Council has awarded four-year contracts with Kiely Bros Ltd and Heidelberg Materials to deliver surface treatment services and resurfacing services respectively, while a third four-year contract has been awarded to Octavius Infrastructure Ltd to deliver new infrastructure assets, including traffic calming and active travel measures.
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Somerset Council has awarded a new contract to run Taunton’s Park and Ride service to Stagecoach South West following a successful tendering bid.
The South West-based operator will run buses Monday to Saturday from the Silk Mills and Gateway sites from 12 February 2024, taking over from First Bus South.
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Somerset Council is delivering an essential repair scheme later this month in Bishops Lydeard.
The Council’s contractor Karesa Construction is repairing and rebuilding sections of retaining wall along Cothelstone Road. It will mean a 24/7 road closure needs to be in place from 22 January for about 10 weeks.
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