Recommendations in a Learning from serious cases report published today (16 December 2025) by the Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB), which sets out the findings of their thematic review of homelessness.

This holistic review of safeguarding practice was commissioned to explore homelessness thematically. It relates to 3 men who are or were in receipt of care and support from statutory and voluntary agencies in Somerset.

Somerset Council’s Audit Committee met this week (9 December) to consider actions being taken in response to a statutory recommendation which has been made by auditors in relation to the Glastonbury Town Deal programme.

Th3 Council’s response builds on actions already taken which underscore it’s strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance in managing public funds, while acknowledging past issues and applying those lessons to drive improvement.

Somerset Council has received the Interim External Auditors’ Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2025, highlighting improvements in governance and financial management.

The report, considered at a Full Council meeting on 17 December, shows a marked reduction in the number of recommendations from 19 to 9, reflecting the Council’s commitment to addressing previous findings and strengthening internal controls. This progress demonstrates our determination to deliver robust financial stewardship and maintain public confidence.

Somerset Council has agreed to review the implementation of a new one-way system in Bridgwater along with local parking arrangements.

The Government-funded Celebration Mile scheme, inherited from the former Sedgemoor District Council, aims to enhance the visitor experience in key areas of the town and improve cycling and walking provision.

An independent accountancy firm in Somerset has brought festive joy to some of the county’s most vulnerable children by donating over 170 Christmas chocolate boxes to young people in care.

Somerset firm A C Mole continue to support charitable and not-for-profit initiatives across the county through its ACM Community scheme. As part of the organisation’s ongoing pledge to give back, the firm is donating chocolate treats to children living with Somerset Council foster carers and in children’s homes. This follows a similar gesture in 2023, when A C Mole marked its 120^th anniversary by donating 120 Easter eggs to children in care.

Somerset Council has announced that the brand-new Visitor Centre at Ham Hill is now open and ready to welcome visitors.

Situated within the Lime Kiln Car Park, this development marks a major milestone in the Uncovering Ham Hill’s past for its Future project, made possible thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation. Their funding has enabled the construction of the centre, preserving and celebrating Ham Hill’s rich heritage for generations to come.

Ahead of the Local Government Financial Settlement expected this week, the Leaders of the Wessex Partnership – comprising Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Councils – have once again called on ministers to allow Wessex to move forward with a devolution deal.

All councils in Wessex are already unitary authorities, well‑placed to deliver devolution and support the Government’s growth priorities. The English Devolution White Paper makes clear that enhanced funding is tied to devolution deals. Without one, Wessex risks being left behind.

Heart of the South West Trading Standards is urging shoppers to check meat labels carefully this festive season after a major investigation revealed misleading claims among some local butchers and farm shops.

Officers visited 15 shops – 9 in Devon, 5 in Somerset and 1 in Torbay – and only 2 were compliant.

Checks on websites, social media, and in-store displays uncovered inaccurate or ambiguous descriptions, with some imported products wrongly marketed as ‘local’ or ‘free-range.’

Householders across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay are being warned by Trading Standards to stop using certain integrated heat pump tumble dryers immediately after a national safety alert revealed a serious fire risk.

The warning, issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), affects models produced by Haier and sold under several well-known brands, Baumatic, Candy, Caple, Haier, Hoover, Lamona, Iberna and Montpellier. Around 85,000 appliances are believed to still be in homes across the UK.

2 coastal primary schools in Somerset are ready to face the winter weather thanks to donations of Waterproofs and Wellies sets.

Knights Templar Community Church School in Watchet and St Andrew’s Church of England Junior School in Burnham-on-Sea each received 10 sets from The Outdoor Guide Foundation, funded by the Somerset Trail Partnership of the King Charles III England Coast Path.