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News roundup
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The Leader of Somerset Council has described plans which could see Somerset become the UK’s biggest producer of electric vehicle (EV) batteries as ‘momentous’ and of global significance.
Agratas, a new business within the Tata Group, has today started writing to thousands of local residents to confirm its plans to build a gigafactory producing EV batteries at the Gravity Smart Campus site in Puriton, near Bridgwater.
A £4 billion investment, the Agratas factory will create up to 4,000 jobs and many more as part of the supply chain.
On 1st March, children in Somerset who are starting secondary school in September 2024 discovered which school they will be attending.
Parents and carers who have applied for places online will be emailed with their offer of a school place, whilst those who applied via a paper form will receive their offer by post in the coming days.
 Somerset Council has awarded a new contract for its No1 bus service between Yeovil and Shepton Mallet.
The agreement which followed a tendering process is with current operator South West Coaches and will offer a revised version of the service from 15 April. The operator had given notice recently after raising concerns about the financial viability of the service and a tendering process was started.
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Calling bright minds, big hearts, builders of trust and wobbly towers, who know that every little thing makes a big difference.
A job in early years and childcare is unique and rewarding. You get to be part of a child’s early education and helps to shape their future. No matter what the day brings, you’ll feel joy in seeing children grow, learn and flourish. And there are lots of different types of roles.
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Image courtesy of DCMS
We are all affected by loneliness at times in our lives. Everyone should know they are not alone and help is available.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has recently launched the next phase of the Better Health - Every Mind Matters campaign. Targeted at 16 - 24 year olds, one of the most at risk audience groups, the campaign aims to reduce the stigma of loneliness, so people feel able to seek help and support.
This week, a Family Intervention Worker shares how a single mother was helped back on her feet by Connect Somerset.
“The Family Intervention Service referred me to a single mum who needed support after fleeing domestic abuse. Mum and baby were socially isolated, so visits from myself and a social worker would often be the only human interaction mum had.”
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Repair and reuse in Somerset are being boosted by a new Community Action Groups (CAG) network that launches next month in Shepton Mallet.
The CAG Somerset network officially launches to the public on Saturday 9 March – and the team invite Somerset residents to join their celebration and find out how they can help people across the county get involved in repair and reuse.
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Chard Local Pantry celebrated their 1st Birthday on Saturday 24 February.
Chard is part of the Somerset Local Pantry Network (SLPN), who buy and collect surplus food and make it available to members for a low weekly fee. Each local pantry helps reduce food waste and makes food affordable for local families which saves them money.
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A leading youth voice advocate has been celebrated at a special event attended by Somerset Council staff and councillors.
At the event, which was held at County Hall, Taunton, on 16th February, Josh Lancaster (aged 18) was celebrated for his outstanding contribution to youth advocacy in Somerset, including his role as deputy member of youth parliament (MYP).
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Somerset Council is undertaking a formal consultation to review and reconsider housing sites for at least 505 dwellings in the Mendip area following a High Court Order to make amendments to the Mendip Local Plan Part 2 (LPP2).
The consultation will be open until 12 April 2024 and the Council is keen to hear from as many people as possible – residents, community groups, city, town and parish councils, landowners and promotors as well as developers and their agents.
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