March 2026

Welcome

Welcome to the latest edition of your newsletter, where we can hopefully look ahead to better weather and the return of our Grow and Win Garden competition this summer.

It has clearly been an incredibly wet start to the year with a major incident being declared across the county and remaining in place for 3 weeks.

As conditions have improved, Somerset Council along with a host of partner organisations are continuing to work together on the clean-up and recovery.

We're pleased to report that to date, none of our tenant properties were adversely affected by flooding.

In this issue, we update on the Housing Options Appraisal, the recommendation which has been put forward and next steps. We also want to hear your views before a decision is made and invite you to complete a short survey by Wednesday, 8 April.

Other highlights include:

• Change in bank account details
• Tenant Hub FB group: update
• Recycling collections: changes for people living in flats
• Tenant Satisfaction on the rise: November update
• Social Value Group helps boost community wellbeing
• Lavinia House: brand new eco homes for local people
• Safety checks and upgrades: working together to keep us safe
• Bridging the gap: supporting tenants through Mind
• Protecting homes for those who need them: Somerset Council acts on subletting
• A Tenant's story: Jim's journey

Thank you for being part of our community – together we’re making Somerset a great place to live.

Service news and updates

Housing Options Appraisal recommendation: we want to hear from you

In May last year we advised that we'd be undertaking an independent review to determine how our housing management services should be delivered in future.

This review – also known as a Housing Options Appraisal – was conducted by independent consultants, Savills, with the objective of ensuring that our housing management service is better aligned, is consistent and delivers best value for money for all Somerset Council and Homes in Somerset tenants and leaseholders.

Change in bank account details

The bank account we use for rent payments has now changed. If you pay by a regular standing order you don't need to do anything. The change of account will be made automatically. If you use online banking to make payments (pay by bank transfer), the new bank account details you need to use are: Bank: NatWest Sort Code: 60 80 06 Account Number: 70853673 Reference: your 14 digit rent reference The account will show as Rent – Somerset Council If you pay by Direct Debit, in the Post Office or by All Pay, this change does not affect you.

Tenant Hub Facebook group: update

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our recent poll, sharing feedback and ideas about what you'd like to see more of on the Tenant Hub FB group. We learned a lot about the type of information you'd like to engage with and since January we've seen new, relevant and up to date content being shared.

Would you or anyone you know like to rent a garage?

Somerset Council lets and manages over 1,400 garages around the Taunton Dean and Wellington area.

If you or anyone you know is interested in renting one of these, find out how to apply and what the process is.

Recycling collections: changes for people living in flats

Somerset Council is improving recycling collections for around 13,000 households living in flats and other communal buildings. The new service will start from the end of March and will allow residents to recycle more materials from home. Everyone affected will receive a leaflet explaining the changes and when they will begin.

November survey shows Tenant Satisfaction is on the up

We’re delighted to share the latest results from our Tenant Satisfaction Survey carried out in November and the news is positive! Compared to May, we’ve seen significant improvements across most areas, showing that your feedback is making a real difference.

Tenant Social Value Group helps boost community wellbeing

Since opening in 1965 as a Riding for the Disabled (RDA) centre, Conquest Centre in Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton has evolved in response to changing client needs and funding requirements. Today, the centre is an inclusive service offering therapeutic support to individuals of all ages and abilities. It provides a safe, natural, and non-judgemental environment that promotes emotional, social, physical, and mental wellbeing.

Garden Competition 2026 – it's back!

We’re really excited to announce that our Grow and Win Garden Competition will be running again this year! This is your chance to showcase your creativity and gardening skills. Important Update: We’re planning to judge earlier this year, so we’re letting you know now so you can start planning and preparing your gardens to make them shine!

Neighbourhoods

Lavinia House: brand new eco homes for local people

Lavinia House, Roman Road, Taunton

In partnership with Homes in Somerset, we're thrilled to announce the completion of a brand new eco-conscious, 8-home development on the site of the former Oxford Inn pub on Taunton's Roman Road.

This significant investment from the Council has transformed a derelict site, once a magnet for anti-social behaviour, into a vibrant, sustainable community asset.

Safety checks and upgrades: working together to keep us safe

One of the most persistent challenges facing local councils is gaining access to tenants’ homes for essential safety checks and improvement works.

Councils carry a statutory duty to ensure properties meet safety standards and receive necessary upgrades.

Bridging the gap: supporting Tenants through Mind

We’re delighted to share some good news about the incredible support our tenants are receiving through Bridging the Gap, a service provided by Mind in Somerset. This initiative is making a real difference for individuals who may be struggling with mental health challenges, financial pressures, or social isolation.

Protecting homes for those who need them: Somerset Council acts on subletting

We're committed to making sure our homes are used by those who truly need them.

Recently, our Housing team successfully investigated a case where one of our properties was being unlawfully sublet to an unsuspecting couple.

All about Estate Inspections

Somerset Council wants all tenants to live in well-managed and well-maintained housing, in an environment that is attractive, safe, and secure where customers can live free from nuisance, intimidation and harassment. We routinely check the quality of the estates we are responsible for; this process is called an 'Estate Inspection'. Over the year, we aim to inspect all our large estates 4 times a year.

Teamwork and determination making homes safer

We talk a lot about ways we can work together to make our homes and communities safer – and we shouldn't underestimate the power of friends and neighbours pulling together in striving to make things better for all.

We’re really pleased to be able to share a neighbourhood story with a positive outcome for one of our vulnerable tenants who has been facing a long-standing challenge in their home.

Do you know how to report external issues in your neighbourhood?

When out and about, have you noticed anything in your area that you think should be dealt with, such as abandoned vehicles, fly-tipping, unauthorised parking, poorly maintained footpaths and walkways, or graffiti?

We want to help you keep your neighbourhood safe, clean and tidy; however, we can’t do anything about these issues until we are made aware of them.

Would you like to become an Estate Monitor?

Estate Monitors help us make sure that estate maintenance and communal cleaning - such as grass cutting and other shared‑area services - meet the standards our tenants expect.

As an Estate Monitor, you would tell us about:

• the quality of the services you receive
• any issues you notice on your estate

A tenant's story: Jim's journey

When Jim Manderson lost his beloved wife, June, in July 2024, his world changed overnight.

The couple had shared a large 3-bedroom home for decades, but now Jim was alone – and struggling. On top of his grief, Jim faced the challenge of living in a house filled with 40 years of belongings. 2 bedrooms were so packed he couldn’t even open the doors.

Why have I received this email?

As a tenant of Somerset Council, we’ve sent this to inform you about important updates relating to our Landlord Service. If you don’t wish to receive these in future, you can choose to opt out.