Somerset Council’s Executive Committee has supported recommendations to buy more council housing stock for the benefit of local people currently seeking temporary accommodation.

This will increase the number of homes under the Council’s ownership while supporting the General Fund with temporary placement cost control.

Work to improve the busy Dunball roundabout linking Bridgwater and Junction 23 of the M5 along with the Gravity Smart Campus in Puriton is nearing its final stages.

Construction on the £10.7m scheme by Somerset Council’s contractor Centregreat commenced last November and it is due to complete this autumn. The aim is to improve traffic flow and capacity to allow for future growth, as well as improving facilities for walking and cycling.

Ambitious plans to protect and improve council services in Somerset have taken a key step forward with the appointment of a Strategic Transformation Partner.

Somerset Council’s Executive agreed to appoint Newton Consulting Ltd to work with council teams to accelerate delivery of the Inspiring Innovation transformation programme. The programme is the key next step of the Council’s response to its financial emergency, aiming to achieve savings while maintaining high-quality public services for Somerset residents.

Somerset Council has agreed an extension to the period within which they can exercise an option to buyback the Freehold for Huish Park.

The option period currently expires on 17 May 2026 but this will now be extended to 17 May 2028. This is considered to be important for the future progress of YTFC, making investment in the club more likely.

A former BBC correspondent and the boss of a local coach company are the faces of a campaign in Somerset encouraging people to know their blood pressure – and potentially save their lives.

As part of that campaign, a series of social media films have been produced, shining a light on people who have discovered they had high blood pressure and changed their lifestyle.