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News
roundup
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The list of Somerset Council area candidates standing in the General Election on 4 July has now been published.
The statements of persons nominated can be found on the Council's General Election 2024 webpage, along with up-to-date lists of polling stations.
The 7 new Somerset constituencies
Boundary changes come into effect for the General Election on 4 July, meaning there will now be 7 Parliamentary constituencies in Somerset Council’s area.
You can check individual constituencies by using the House of Commons Library boundaries map. Just pick your current constituency and compare it with the new boundary.
 With only a few days to go before the deadline of 18 June, residents in Somerset are being urged to register to vote and check their Voter ID so they can have their say on who represents them in Parliament at the General Election on 4 July.
If you are already registered and received a poll card for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on 2 May, you do not need to take any further action.
Somerset residents planning to cast their vote in the General Election on 4 July by post, have until 5pm on 19 June to submit their applications. The deadline for proxy vote applications is 26 June.
You can apply for a postal vote if you’re away on holiday or because your work schedule means you can’t get to the polling station. You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you.
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Thousands of households in the eastern parts of the county may have a one-off Saturday rubbish collection as schedules change.
Kerbside rubbish and recycling changes begin from Monday, 17 June for around 92,000 homes in the South Somerset and Mendip areas.
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As gardening season comes into full bloom, Somerset residents are being reminded that they can sign-up for a fortnightly home garden waste collection.
The service run by Somerset Council has more than 60,000 subscribers and provides convenience for many green-fingered residents, saving time from traveling to a recycling site.
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The first home in Somerset Council’s Rainbow Way in Minehead is nearly finished – and ready to open its doors to prospective tenants.
A special Open House event is being held on Tuesday 18 June from 2 to 5pm, giving local people the chance to see one of the new homes for themselves.
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People facing domestic abuse are being strongly encouraged to seek support, especially during periods when incidents are anticipated to surge.
Research from the National Centre for Domestic Violence reveals that domestic abuse incidents increase by 26% when our national team plays, 38% if they lose, and 11% the day after, regardless of the outcome.
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Broadband provider Airband Community Internet has been hit with fines and charges totalling more than £11k for failing to ensure the safety of the public while doing work in the County.
Somerset Council prosecuted the firm following works carried out in Kingston-St-Mary. Airband Community Internet pleaded guilty at Taunton Magistrates Court earlier this month to two offences committed under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA).
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Essential maintenance work is being carried out by Somerset Council on the B3227 Sandy’s Moor Roundabout in Wiveliscombe.
The Council’s contractor Heidelberg Materials will be resurfacing the road from Thursday 13 June to 19 June and there will need to be a closure in place for the safety of the public and workforce.
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Somerset Council is reminding people to make the most of a new bus service to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton.
The Council is running a summer campaign encouraging people to make the most of cheap bus travel, enjoy the fantastic locations and activities the county has to offer and help safeguard routes at the same time.
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People who want a bit of support to get more active will be able to sign up for free weekly sessions in Taunton, Glastonbury and Bridgwater libraries from next month.
A huge variety of fun activities will be on offer over a ten-month programme, with ‘taster sessions’ which may include gentle stretching, Tai Chi, Yoga and some top tips on getting more active with confidence, so you can improve at your own pace with some useful and realistic targets.
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Volunteers are still needed across Somerset – with a new role available in Taunton – to help keep a vital Somerset Council library lifeline thriving.
The Home Library Service (HLS) is looking for people to get involved in Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil, Frome, Chard and Crewkerne.
The HLS is free and available to anyone who cannot visit a library in person – the housebound, carers, or people vulnerable because of their health.
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Image courtesy of the Octagon Theatre
The Arts Engagement and Outreach team at the Octagon Theatre aims to provide more opportunities for communities to watch, take part and benefit from arts and cultural activities where they live.
In their latest update, the team reflects on their achievements over the past year with the release of a Parkinson’s Dance short film, engagement with published artist blogs and vlogs, and a successful first year for their Creative Learning & Education programme.
Image courtesy of RLSS UK
No child should drown, and with the right water safety education – such as knowledge of the Water Safety Code – accidental drownings are preventable. The Royal Life Saving Society UK's (RLSS UK) Drowning Prevention Week 2024 runs from 15 to 22 June and is deliberately timed ahead of the school summer holidays when children spend more time outdoors and when vital water safety skills can help keep them safe.
Whether heading abroad this summer or opting for a staycation, RLSS UK fears that families will head to beaches and inland water locations or non-lifeguarded swimming pools this summer, without considering the potential dangers, putting themselves and others at risk.
With figures indicating that around 25% of primary school children leave school unable to swim, there’s a real fear that because of the pandemic many more children will lack the ability or confidence to swim or self-rescue, should they find themselves in difficulty in the water.
For more information, and to find out how you can make sure your family enjoys water safely this summer, visit RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week webpage.
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