Friday, 19 July 2024

Featured news

Council Leader calls on new Prime Minister to prioritise local government

Leader of Somerset Council, Cllr Bill Revans

The Leader of Somerset Council is to write to the new Prime Minister calling for urgent action to prioritise local government.

Cllr Bill Revans pledged to stand up for the people of Somerset as the council’s Executive discussed several key items which highlight the challenges facing local authorities.

In response to the council’s declaration of a financial emergency last November, Somerset Council has had to take a series of unprecedented decisions.

Difficult decisions ahead on council assets

A report recommending the disposal of several Somerset Council assets to help generate funds in response to the financial emergency will be considered by members next week.

The Resources and Corporate Scrutiny Committee will be asked for comments on the proposals to help bridge an £80m funding gap in the current financial year and a £100m budget gap for 2025/2026, at their meeting on 24 July.

Promoted news

Councils call for a delay to ‘unfunded’ cap on care

Image courtesy of the County Councils Network (CCN)

England’s largest councils today call for a delay in the introduction of the cap on adult social care costs, warning they will be ‘impossible’ to implement by October next year.

It comes as new analysis by Newton for the County Councils Network (CCN) reveals the costs of the new cap on care and more generous means-test have increased by a third – with the total costs of the reforms for older adults now totalling £30bn over the next decade – a figure councils say is unfunded.

Enjoy an afternoon of fun-filled entertainment with Bridgwater Super Saturday

Tomorrow (Saturday, 20 July), will see Bridgwater town centre full of acts showcasing Somerset Talent, including circus, dance, theatre and loads of live music throughout Cornhill, The High Street, Fore Street and in St Mary’s Church.

Pirates of the Carabina will be bringing their Pirate Taxi along on the day, to mesmerise audiences with their acrobatic and arial circus skills. Tall Tails Theatre Company will be walking around the town centre with their performances of The Adventures of Madame Carousel and Mr Popsy, along with an amazing array of local Bridgwater musical talent.

Activities to entertain children this summer

Credit: Maverick Mums

With the school summer holidays fast approaching, many parents and carers are looking for local activities to not only entertain children, but also to provide reasonably priced childcare during the day for those juggling work and family.

Discover Frome, the one-stop shop for local events and businesses, have complied a fun-filled roundup, with plenty of ideas to help keep children busy and happy during the summer holidays. The guide features a wide variety of camps and workshops on offer as well as some popular events parents and carers can attend with children.

The Summer Reading Challenge is LIVE at all Somerset Libraries

If you’re looking for something to do with your child, grandchild, or someone you care for this summer, why not register them for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Once a child is registered at their local library, all they have to do is read up to 6 books between now and 7 September and for every book they read, they’ll get a set of stickers and when they have read all 6 books, they’ll get a medal and a certificate.

Latest articles

Yeovil Refresh: FHSF confirmed for final phase of town centre redevelopment

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed the reallocation and extension of £4.8m of Future High Streets Funding (FHSF) to deliver the final phase of major redevelopment as part of the Yeovil Refresh. This final phase will see the development of affordable residential accommodation for young professionals, key workers and student apprentices, above commercial and retail premises at three key locations: 66 Middle Street, 96 Middle Street and Wyndham Street.

Support is still available to help businesses ‘Go Green’

Somerset Council is offering businesses practical help to reduce the amount of energy they use which will lead to a lower carbon footprint whilst reducing their bills. Launched last October, the ‘Go Green Scheme’ was introduced to offer businesses expert advice to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The scheme has been funded from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Local Growth Fund.

New partnership to boost heat pump installation for Somerset Homes

An exciting joint project to help boost heat pump installation for Somerset homeowners and help cut the county’s carbon footprint is underway. The Retrofit Somerset project led by Somerset Climate Action Network in partnership with Somerset Council has recently launched a partnership with green tech company, Thermly, to trial a heat pump ready scheme.

Operator halts Somerset e-scooter trials until further notice

E-scooter services in three Somerset towns have been temporarily suspended with immediate effect by the operator. Zipp Mobility e-scooter trials in Taunton, Minehead and Yeovil, which have run successfully since 2020, have been halted by the operator due to an unexpected supplier issue.

Drainage work scheduled for B3190 in Sticklepath West Somerset

Essential maintenance work is being carried out by Somerset Council on the B3190 next week. Drainage work is being done on a section of the road through Sticklepath from Monday 22 July, to Friday 26 July. A closure is needed 24/7 because an open trench needs to be dug to repair a damaged pipe and the road is not wide enough to do this under temporary traffic lights.