31 January 2025

Featured news

Recovery work underway after Somerset communities are hit by flooding

Somerset Council teams are supporting communities after heavy rain caused flooding in several locations in the county on Sunday, 26 January.

Homes in parts of Chard, Ilminster, Somerton and South Petherton were among those affected and more than 100 people were evacuated as a precautionary measure in the early hours due to concerns about the potential for further flooding.

Flooding: Major Incident stood down

The current flood incident in Somerset is no longer being treated as a Major Incident as the clean-up and recovery are underway.

Somerset Council, emergency services, health and other partners have been working together since Sunday to respond to the flooding caused by intense rainfall over the weekend.

Somerset Council prepares to set budget for 2025/26

Somerset Council is seeking Exceptional Financial Support from Government as part of its budget setting for 2025/26.

Since its creation in April 2023, the council has been taking emergency action to reduce costs, and plans to save a further £47m next year, including £34m by reducing the number of staff and managers employed by April 2025.

Latest articles

Council agrees to sell Saxonvale site in Frome

Somerset Council has agreed to sell a 12-acre heritage site in Frome, to Mayday Saxonvale Development Ltd. Members of the Executive Committee announced its decision at a special meeting held in Frome Town Hall on Thursday (23 January 2025).

First Town Deal project completed as Glastonbury celebrates leisure centre reopening

Somerset Council is pleased to announce that the newly refurbished Tor Sports and Leisure facility in Glastonbury will reopen to the public on 3 February. This significant milestone marks the completion of the first project under the Glastonbury Town Deal, and showcases the town’s commitment to enhancing local amenities for all residents and visitors.

Somerset gets tree-mendous boost for urban tree planting drive

Somerset Council has secured £0.5 million of Government funding to bring 100’s of trees to towns across the county. The £500,000 grant from the Urban Tree Challenge Fund will see nearly 700 mature trees planted and cover maintenance and care costs for the next 3 years.

Support for people making changes to drink and drug use

January may be nearing its end – but support for people who chose New Year to make positive changes to their lifestyle is still available from organisations supported by Somerset Council. For many people the start of the year is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings, following a busy festive period, which often involves overindulging.

Promoted news

Check the label; some US-style sweets may contain banned additives

Image courtesy of Devon County Council

Consumers buying American-style and imported sweets are being urged to check the label to ensure that they do not contain additives banned in the UK.

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service (HotSW TS) says that imported sweets that have not been approved for sale are becoming increasingly available in shops across the region.