|
News
roundup
|
 |
|
|
|
Somerset Council’s CCTV team have reported nearly 700 incidents across the county to police in the last 3 months.
In the latest of these, on Wednesday 12 November, the team helped to prevent a serious incident, alerting police after a fire was spotted on camera under a climbing frame in a children’s play area in Bridgwater.
Community projects which help people find care and support networks close to their home are being supported by a new initiative.
Somerset Council is investing in local projects using funding from the national Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF). This is a £42.6 million initiative by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) which aims to improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of adult social care.
 A Somerset Council on-demand flexible transport service covering Somerton and Langport recently recorded its 10,000th journey in just 18 months.
The state-of-the-art Digital Slinky minibuses are funded by the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Grant (BSIP), along with a raft of other BSIP measures in Somerset.
|
|
Community volunteers and local people gathered to celebrate another step forward in the Strawberry Line Path in Somerset on Friday, 14 November.
They were joined by Somerset Council representatives at the opening of the link that bridges a section known as the Kings of Wessex Gap in Cheddar. The new section, supported by funding from the Council, built by Greenways and Cycleroutes, runs from Cheddar Leisure Centre in Station Road, around the perimeter of the Kings Academy playing field and over a new bridge across the Cheddar Yeo.
|
Somerset Council is joining partners across the county and beyond to mark this year’s 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence, shining a light on digital domestic abuse – a growing form of coercive control where technology is used to monitor, threaten, exploit or isolate victims.
The campaign calls for collective action to prevent abuse, protect those at risk, and support recovery for those affected.
|
Young people across Somerset have the opportunity to vote to elect their new representatives to sit on the UK Youth Parliament at the Somerset Youth Parliament elections.
With the support of schools, colleges and the wider community, Somerset will elect 3 Members of Youth Parliament to each run on a campaign of their choice.
Candidates have produced manifestos outlining their election pledges and can be found on Somerset Youth Parliament’s Elections page.
|
Somerset Council is opening a temporary library in Bridgwater after the main building suffered interior ceiling damage due to roof problems.
Work is ongoing to urgently repair the roof long-term and ensure the building is fit for purpose for many years to come.
The temporary library space in Bridgwater House will open on Monday 1 December.
|
Somerset Council is replacing ageing traffic signals on the A39 junction with the A396 at Dunster in West Somerset.
The traffic lights at this junction need renewing as they are more than 30 years old and near the end of their working life. It is imperative the signals are replaced before they fail as this would cause major disruption.
The work, which is part of a county-wide initiative to replace traffic signals is set to start on 5 January 2026 and finish in April.
|
Somerset Council is replacing ageing traffic signals on the A39 junction with Clarks Village in Street.
6 sets of traffic lights which span the junction need renewing as they are more than 30 years old and near the end of their working life.
The work, which is part of a county-wide initiative to replace traffic signals is set to start on 5 January 2026 and finish in May.
|
|
|
We’re consulting on proposed changes to school admission arrangements, open until 5 January 2026. If your child is due to start or transfer school from September 2027, now is the time to share your views.
Admission arrangements include catchment areas, number of places, and how places are allocated. Your feedback matters – help make the process clear and fair for everyone.
|
|
|
|
Supported lodgings hosts provide a safe home and guidance for vulnerable young people learning to live independently. From cooking and cleaning to budgeting, your support can make a real difference.
Find out more about becoming a host and help bridge the gap to a brighter future via Fostering in Somerset’s Stepping Stones page.
|
|
|
|
