Multi-agency support continues with response teams monitoring the situation closely and ready to act if necessary.

A major incident remains in place – although the situation is stabilising, which is generally positive, water levels remain high and the ground is already saturated across the Levels and Moors. Further rainfall is forecast later tonight (Friday), and on Sunday and with more unsettled weather next week the picture currently remains uncertain.

Because of this, teams continue to remain on stand-by and ready to respond during tonight and across the weekend should the situation require it.

Somerset Council has secured funds from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s ‘Warm Homes: Local Grant’ scheme to help homeowners and private rental residents across Somerset to save money on energy bills by retrofitting their homes.

Retrofitting refers to any improvement work on an existing building to improve its energy efficiency, making them easier to heat, able to retain that heat for longer, and replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.

Flags at Somerset Council buildings flew at half-mast today (Monday 9 February) as a mark of respect to Somerset Councillor Tony Robbins, who sadly passed away unexpectedly this weekend.

Tony was a Liberal Democrat Member serving Somerset Council in the Mendip Hills Division since his election in May 2022.

Somerset’s first park and bus facility is opening in Taunton on Wednesday with state-of-the-art electric buses running via the Orchard Grove development at Comeytrowe into the heart of town.

The Somerset Council facility is already used by residents and will now be open to commuters and other motorists with a free 200-space car park available.

Residents in Frome and Burnham-on-Sea who are curious about fostering are invited to relaxed information sessions this spring. The drop-in events, hosted by Fostering in Somerset, offer a chance to speak informally with local foster carers over a free coffee and slice of cake.

The sessions aim to give people a realistic insight into what fostering involves, with no pressure to take your interest further.

A Somerset-shot prison thriller released this month has been nominated for an award at the BAFTAs.

Wasteman (certificate 18) was filmed almost exclusively in the claustrophobic confines of Shepton Mallet Prison and is scheduled for UK-wide cinema release from 20 February.

A brutal and terrifying depiction of modern life behind bars, the production shot in Shepton Mallet Prison over 2 weeks in June 2024 with the help of Screen Somerset, Somerset Council’s film office. The prison’s Victorian B Wing features heavily throughout, including a riot scene.