Plans to transform Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre into one of the South West’s leading cultural and entertainment venues have moved a step closer.

Somerset Council’s planning committee has approved plans submitted by a partnership between Yeovil Town Council and Somerset Council that will see the development of a £15 million plan to not only secure the structural integrity of the 50-year-old building for decades to come, but will include major improvements to access both front of house and backstage.

The government set out its proposals for SEND reform today (23 Feb 2026) and a 12-week consultation now begins.

Leader of Somerset Council, Cllr Bill Revans, said the direction of travel was ‘encouraging’ but warned proposals must remain radical as they move through Parliament.

He stressed doing nothing was not an option. That £30bn extra had been spent on SEND nationally during the past 10 years, and yet educational outcomes for SEND pupils had not improved.

Somerset Council has been confirmed as a finalist for 2 nominations at the 2026 Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards, recognising meaningful work that is making a difference to young people, families, and communities across the county.

The LGC Awards are among the most respected awards in local government, celebrating councils that deliver innovation and measurable impact for residents. In 2026, more than 1,000 entries were submitted from councils across the country, making shortlisting a significant achievement.

Somerset Council is driving forward its plans to improve road safety on the A361 Frome bypass where 5 people have died in tragic fatal collisions over the last 5 years.

Plans for a 50mph speed limit and engineering works form part of the package to improve safety along the bypass where AI cameras were installed last year to monitor speed, seatbelt wearing and mobile phone use.

Somerset Council has opened the A361 on the Levels today (Monday, 23 February), as the road is now clear of flood water.

The road had to be closed on Friday, 20 February after water levels had risen during the week following further rain on saturated ground, causing the spillway adjacent to it to top over on to the surface causing flooding.

Somerset Council road contractors Kier will be doing vital drainage works on the A361 at Pilton from 9 to 13 March. This is to complete works following a previous visit.

The road will be closed on weekdays from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Outside these times the site will be covered by 2-way traffic signals, manually controlled to help reduce disruption.

Somerset has secured £3.78 million in Government funding to expand electric vehicle charging across the county, and we want to know where you’d like new charge points installed. We’ve already received some great suggestions, and we’d love to hear more.

Note: we can only consider locations that belong to Somerset Council. You don’t need to know who owns the land before you submit an idea, but places like pub car parks, village halls, and supermarket car parks are usually privately owned so may not be suitable.

We’re consulting on the future of council housing services in Somerset. Following an independent review of how our homes are currently managed, we want to hear residents’, tenants’ and leaseholders’ views before deciding whether to move to a single housing management model. The review looks at how services can be more consistent and offer better value for money.

We would remain the landlord, and there would be no immediate changes to rents, services or tenants’ rights. Your feedback will help shape the final decision.