As the festive season comes to an end and many of us reflect on weeks of good food, drink and celebration, January is often a time for resetting our priorities and focusing on our wellbeing.

For Somerset residents looking to make a positive start to the year, Somerset Council is encouraging eligible adults to book their free NHS Health Check and take a proactive step towards better long-term health.

Somerset Council is reminding residents that help and support is available for people experiencing domestic abuse, they expect a seasonal increase in calls to the Somerset Domestic Abuse Service at this start of the New Year.

Each year, services typically see a rise in people reaching out for support in January. While the festive season has passed, its effects can continue, with pressures experienced over Christmas often becoming more apparent once routines return.

As people across Somerset begin the new year thinking about fresh starts and positive changes, Somerset Council is encouraging residents to consider volunteering as a rewarding way to give back, learn new skills and connect with their community.

Somerset Council offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities across the county, supporting services that help children and young people, protect and enhance the natural environment, promote arts and culture, improve public health and strengthen local communities.

Somerset Council’s Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP), currently active in Somerset is being extended to Monday 12 January.

During this period of cold weather, the Council is seeking to provide emergency accommodation for those sleeping rough to prevent harm or death due to the severe weather.

Somerset Council has secured £3.78 million in government capital funding to significantly expand Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the county – and residents are being invited to help shape where new charge points are installed.

The funding will support the installation of a minimum of 1,606 low-powered public charge point sockets (3.5kW and 7kW) in on-street and car park locations.

Somerset Council is replacing ageing traffic signals on Love Lane in Burnham-on-Sea.

A set of traffic lights serving the pedestrian entrance to Tesco 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 Monday 12 January and finish next Month.

Somerset Council’s Leader Bill Revans has cautiously welcomed the 3-year Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025/6 but has urged the Government to do more to increase councils’ spending power without putting the burden on taxpayers.

As part of the recent announcement on the provisional settlement, Somerset Council understands it will receive an increase in its Core Spending Power – this is revenue funding available for council services through the Local Government Finance Settlement – of around 13% over the next 3 years.

Somerset Council is pleased to announce the proposed appointment of Christine Lawrence as an Honorary Alderwoman, recognising her outstanding and dedicated service to local government and the communities of West Somerset.

At its Full Council meeting on 25 September 2025, Somerset Council agreed to make an exception to its usual Honorary Alderman and Alderwoman Scheme, enabling Mrs Lawrence’s nomination to be considered now rather than waiting for the next elections in 2027.

Somerset is currently under several Met Office weather warnings due to Storm Goretti and ongoing cold conditions:

• Amber wind warning – strong winds with gusts up to 80 to 100 mph in exposed areas. Risk of flying debris and coastal hazards.
• Yellow snow warning – heavy snow on higher ground, causing travel disruption and possible power cuts.
• Yellow ice warning – widespread icy conditions overnight and into Saturday.

Children under 6 are now being offered the MMRV vaccine instead of MMR as part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme.

This replaces the existing MMR vaccine and adds protection against chickenpox, alongside measles, mumps and rubella.

You don’t need to do anything – your GP will contact you when your child is due.

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) is urging local people and businesses to get behind its Surviving Winter Appeal, which helps older people living in fuel poverty to stay warm, safe and well during the coldest months.

Thanks to the generosity of local supporters, the appeal has raised £50,000 so far, which is providing grants to cover heating costs, support to make homes more energy efficient, and activities that reduce isolation and improve wellbeing for older people.

2 more shops, both in Taunton, have closed after Trading Standards officers and Police found illegal tobacco and vapes on their premises.

The shops are:

• Taunton Market, 80 Station Road, Taunton
• Top Market, 73 Station Road, Taunton