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News
roundup
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Somerset Council’s Executive has agreed a major package of one-off investment to strengthen support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The agreed funding will provide £5.331m over 2 years to increase capacity across the SEND system, tackle backlogs in Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs), improve the timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and provide more support for young people preparing for adulthood.
Credit: SUEZ
Somerset Council is apologising to residents affected by disruption to recycling, rubbish and garden waste collections this week.
The Council’s waste contractor, SUEZ, has faced ongoing operational issues, including reduced staffing.
Following a couple of weeks of collection challenges Somerset Council and SUEZ have plans in place to recover missed collections.
Cllr Smith-Roberts (2nd from left), w/ Freedom Leisure reps and Council officer (right)
Somerset Council has confirmed a new partnership is in place from this week to ensure the continued delivery of leisure services across 5 centres in the east of the county.
Following recent uncertainty, with the existing operator Fusion Lifestyle going into administration earlier in the year, the Council has appointed Freedom Leisure – an established national operator – to run services acting as an agent on behalf of Somerset Council, under a 2-year interim contract. This marks an important step in providing stability and continuity for residents, centre users and staff.
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Somerset Council is encouraging children to turn up the volume on reading this summer by inviting primary school children across the county to take part in the Reading Agency’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, launching on Saturday 4 July.
Leader Bill Revans and Lead Member for Communities Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts joined forces at the newly reopened Bridgwater Library to trumpet the Challenge with its theme this year of ‘Read to the Beat’ that aims to inspire children aged 4 to 11 to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity.
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Somerset Domestic Abuse Service and Somerset Football Association (FA) is proud to announce a new partnership demonstrating their commitment to creating safe, inclusive and supportive environments across grassroots football in Somerset.
The partnership will focus on raising awareness of domestic abuse, educating clubs, leagues, volunteers, coaches, players and parents, and ensuring that those affected know where to access support and specialist services.
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Somerset Council’s Schools Against Waste (SAW) programme has reached a major milestone after completing its 500th school visit at Priddy and St Lawrence’s Federation school.
Delivered by Carymoor Environmental Trust on behalf of Somerset Council, the programme provides practical, curriculum-linked environmental education in primary schools across Somerset. Helping thousands of children across the county learn more about reducing waste, reusing materials and recycling effectively.
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Beach-goers heading for Brean and Berrow will be able to park for free this summer to help boost the local visitor economy.
Somerset Council has been working with Discover Brean and EDF (Hinkley Point C project) on ways to increase footfall in the Brean coastal and strip area to help offset the reduction in visitors who would have used Pontins during the holiday season.
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Residents and businesses in Bridgwater are invited to have their say on the 1-way traffic system in place in the Eastover area and options for potential changes.
A southbound 1-way system was introduced on Salmon Parade as part of the Bridgwater Town Deal Celebration Mile project, and a north-bound 1-way system was introduced on East Quay. Wider pavements, a new cycle lane and a west-bound 1-way system were also introduced on Eastover as part of the project.
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Important utility upgrade and replacement schemes are scheduled to start on the A358 in north Taunton later this month.
The work is planned by Wales and West Utilities (WWU) and National Grid to replace ageing gas services and the electrical network, along Staplegrove Road and Minehead Road and will start 20 July, running through to October.
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Somerset Council is continuing to work with Avon and Somerset Police and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service following a fire at the Saxonvale site in Frome on Wednesday 1 July.
The fire involved the Western Warehouse building. Fire crews attended the scene and worked to contain the blaze and prevent it spreading to neighbouring buildings, including the Silk Mill and the former Notts Industries office building.
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A fraudster from Taunton who tried to ‘bully’ an 81-year-old carer into paying thousands of pounds for home repairs she didn’t need has been handed a suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay £11,700 in compensation.
Leeroy Packman, 31, of Odette Avenue, Taunton, pleaded guilty to fraud at Plymouth Magistrates Court on Friday 26 June, following a prosecution by Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service.
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Planning a dip in the sea, river or lake this summer? The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has shared practical advice to help people stay healthy while wild swimming.
Tips include checking water quality before you go, following local safety advice, avoiding swallowing water, covering cuts and washing thoroughly after swimming. Read the UKHSA blog for more information before heading outdoors.
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RNLI lifeguards will be on duty at Brean and Burnham-on-Sea every day from 4 July to 6 September, providing advice, first aid and emergency response throughout the busy holiday season.
RNLI lifeguards in Somerset have spent the last month pre-season training, which has included essential skills in casualty care, fitness testing, and lifesaving skills in and out of the water to be ready to return to beaches.
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