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News
roundup
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Somerset Council is urging residents and businesses to participate in its annual budget consultation, which is open to everyone. The feedback will help Councillors set a balanced budget in February 2025.
Since declaring a financial emergency in November 2023, the Council has been seeking savings across all service areas to avoid issuing a Section 114 notice, which is akin to a bankruptcy notice for councils.
Uprooted tree on the A367
Somerset Council’s highways crews worked round the clock to clear roads after hundreds of trees and more than 20 power cables were downed during the county’s second storm event in two weeks.
Teams from the Council’s contractor Kier were out in winds of nearly 90 mph during a rare Met Office Red Warning, combined with Amber and Yellow Warnings across the weekend as Storm Darragh swept through the county from the early hours of Saturday into Sunday.
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Somerset Council’s Public Health Team is working in partnership with Somerset Road Safety and Avon and Somerset Police to raise awareness about the dangers of drink and drug driving.
The initiative involves newly created pocket-sized information cards to be distributed across the county highlighting the risks and signposting people to local drugs and alcohol support.
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Somerset Council is pleased to announce the start of the next phases of North Taunton’s Woolaway Regeneration project.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Phase B site at Oxford Place on 10 December when representatives from Somerset Council, Homes England and Classic Builders met to officially kickstart phases B and Ci. The scheme has the benefit of regeneration funding from Homes England.
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Somerset Council will be launching a Call for Sites in the new year as it prepares to develop its first Local Plan.
The Call for Sites is a 6-week period where landowners, developers, and site promoters are invited to submit land they want to be considered for future development.
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Somerset Council’s Customer Service Point in Williton will temporarily relocate to the town’s library to allow refurbishment of its current home in West Somerset House.
West Somerset House will close on Tuesday 24 December at 3pm for the Christmas break. On Monday 2 January, the Customer Service Point will reopen inside Williton Library.
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Image courtesy of the Met Office
Thinking ahead and preparing for what the weather may bring can make a real difference.
There are some simple steps you can take to stay safe and healthy at this time of year – from preparing your home or business to taking care of yourself, your family and neighbours.
Image courtesy of UKHSA / NHS
Flu season is here, so protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu vaccination. Reduce the risk of serious illness, recover more quickly, and help protect those at higher risk.
Check your eligibility and book your flu vaccine today at nhs.uk/wintervaccinations.
Self Assessment customers unable to pay their tax bill in full can plan ahead this festive season to spread the cost by using HMRC's Time to Pay arrangement.
With Christmas preparations well underway in many households, considering financial commitments may be on the agenda. So HMRC is reminding people who pay tax by Self Assessment of the opportunity to spread the cost of their bill.
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Image courtesy of HMRC
If you’re missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) from your National Insurance record, it could be affecting your State Pension.
Find out more and complete HMRC's eligibility checker.
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