|
News
roundup
|
 |
|
|
|
On Tuesday, 16 April, nearly 99% of Somerset children starting school for the first time were offered a primary school place at one of their top three choices.
Overall, 98.86% of the 5136 applicants were offered a place at one of their top three choices, with 95.33% receiving their first choice.
DofE award recipients from Holyrood Academy, Chard
The Somerset Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) team is celebrating their highest ever number of enrolments across the county, with 2,908 local young people signed up to an award between April 2023 and March 2024.
The DofE award is on offer in all secondary schools, colleges and most Special Educational Needs (SEN) providers in Somerset. Young people can start an award between the ages of 14-25 and those who are home educated can access the award directly through Somerset DofE.
Homes from Phase A of the NTWP
Phase A of the North Taunton Woolaway Project (NTWP) has won Insider’s South West Residential Property Awards for affordable housing.
An awards evening took place in Exeter on 18 April which revealed NTPW as the winners against seven other shortlisted projects. Judges were impressed with the high level of community engagement, alongside the impressive tenant feedback.
|
|
Somerset residents planning to cast their vote by post, rather than in person, need to be aware of new laws, which came into force on Monday, 15 April.
Anyone handing in a postal vote at a reception point or a polling station must now complete a Postal Vote Return form, which could be time-consuming.
|
Critchill Court in Frome and Sunnymeade in Chard have been saved from closure thanks to a successful takeover bid by family-owned care provider, Agincare.
The homes were at risk of closure following a consultation launched by Somerset Care in February 2024. However, as part of the consultation, Somerset Council and Somerset Care worked together to identify a suitable alternative provider who could offer continuity of care and quality of service to the residents, their families and the staff.
|
Berry’s Coaches, a family-run business with a rich history in passenger transport dating back to 1920, recently participated in the ‘Take the Pressure Off’ campaign, a joint initiative between NHS Somerset and Somerset Council.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about high blood pressure and encourage early detection through free blood pressure checks within communities across Somerset.
|
Work by Somerset Council to repair a collapsed embankment next to the B3224 in Exmoor is now finished.
The road at Roundwaters between Exford and Wheddon Cross has reopened today (Friday 19 April). It has been closed since January due to the scale of the work being undertaken by the Council’s contractor Walters.
|
Somerset Council is taking action to reduce deaths and serious injuries at a notorious collision site in the county.
Work will be done by the Council’s contractor Octavius to realign the junction of the B3135 and B3134, known as the Miner’s Arms Junction, near Priddy, where drivers regularly fail to stop, despite clear signage. Traffic is usually travelling at speed from all directions.
|
|
|
|
Credit: Chris Benson from Unsplash
Home-based online pet food suppliers are being reminded of the importance of ensuring that the products that they sell are legal after ten were found to be selling products that were not legally compliant with product labelling requirements.
The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service carried out test purchases across Somerset and Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay).
Image courtesy of RNLI
However you end up in the water this summer, if you get into trouble, remember to Float to Live. You can learn how to float following these five simple steps:
- Tilt your head back, submerging your ears.
- Relax and try to control your breathing.
- Move your hands to help you stay afloat.
- Your legs may sink but that’s OK – everyone floats differently.
- Spread your arms and legs to improve your stability.
The RNLI actively encourages practising how to float in a safe environment. It’s a lifesaving skill and having the confidence to float in a life-or-death situation could make all the difference.
|
|
|
|
