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News
roundup
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Somerset families and residents who are struggling to pay the bills this winter could be eligible for support with the cost of food, energy, water, and other essentials over the coming months.
Somerset Council will be distributing £3.8m to those in need between October 2024 and March 2025 as part of the Government’s Household Support Fund.
Representatives from Chatty Hour Tuesdays with Somerset Council Chair, Cllr Mike Best
Community heroes from across Somerset have been recognised for their unstinting service with a Somerset Council Chair’s Award.
The award recipients were nominated by their city, town and parish councils in recognition of their outstanding contribution to their communities.
 A Somerset takeaway owner faces a bill of more than £5,000 for improperly disposing of business waste in public litter bins.
In February 2023, Somerset Council’s waste contractor reported a fast food takeaway outlet in Frome disposing of business waste in public litter bins and other locations around the local area.
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Somerset is delighted to join this year’s Recycle Week (14 to 20 October), celebrating the efforts of residents to recycle and help save five packaging heroes from the rubbish bin.
Somerset has a recycling record to be proud of with a recycling rate of nearly 56% in 2023-24, putting them in the top 20% of waste authorities in England.
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International Repair Day is just around the corner and the repair network in Somerset is gearing up to welcome visitors.
The day is an annual celebration for everyone who makes repair happen in their communities around the world. In Somerset, more than 20 repair groups span the county, all run by volunteers and each able to fix a variety of items.
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A public vote is now open giving everyone the chance to help name two new gritters which will help keep Somerset’s roads safe this winter.
2 new gritters are being added to the Somerset fleet and the county’s primary schools were asked to suggest names for them. A long list of 30 has been whittled down to 6 and now it is the public’s turn to help decide.
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In a unique partnership with volunteers, councils, charities and contractors, Somerset Council is working to create a traffic-free path from the Mendips to the sea along the former railway line, known as the Strawberry Line.
The new bridge – which is as long as a double-decker bus – over the B3136 in Shepton Mallet is another step towards eventually connecting Ridge Road to Collett Park in the town centre.
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Local people and businesses are being given the chance to find out more about a major project to upgrade the busy Dunball roundabout linking Bridgwater and Junction 23 of the M5.
Construction on the multi-million pound scheme begins 11 November – as well as improving traffic flow and capacity it will it will make it easier to walk and cycle at the roundabout.
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Somerset Council is asking for community opinion to shape the future of Taunton’s cherished waterways.
The Taunton Waterways Strategy and Guidance is now open for a six-week consultation and the council is inviting the public to share their opinions to help influence the proposals which have been created with the help of key stakeholders.
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Image courtesy of HotSW Trading Standards
As the temperature begins to drop, Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is advising people to check their hot water bottles and follow safety guidelines before use this winter.
Hot water bottles can cause serious burns if not used safely. They can also degrade over time. You may have older hot water bottles at home – you can check the manufacturing date by the flower symbol found on the bottle – if so, you may wish to consider replacing them with newer ones.
DCC YouTube video: CDS Mobile boost scheme praised for being “transformational”
Connecting Devon and Somerset’s (CDS) Mobile Boost Voucher Scheme has relaunched with a £430,000 investment through the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership's (HotSWLEP) Growth Deal. The scheme is available to homes in Somerset and Devon offering vouchers of up to £1,300 towards technology to help improve indoor mobile coverage and connectivity.
Applicant Peter Samwell, who lives near the Blackdown Hills, described the scheme’s benefits as an “absolute revelation”.
The Community Council for Somerset is holding a community event to celebrate culture and creativity at Court Fields School, Wellington on 26 October from 11am to 3pm at Court Fields School, Wellington.
The Wellington Together Multicultural Event promises a fun-filled day of activities for everyone, including energetic Bhangra dance workshops led by the talented Avtar, creative arts sessions with Somerset Art Works, and interactive animation workshops with Somerset Film.
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