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News
roundup
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Somerset Council has acknowledged the Government’s decision to issue a Best Value Notice to the authority and recognises the seriousness of this step.
A Best Value Notice is a formal, non-statutory improvement and assurance process through which Government monitors progress against agreed improvement plans. Put simply, it means the Government wants evidence that the Council is improving, strengthening governance, delivering value for money and securing long-term sustainability.
Somerset Council Leader Cllr Bill Revans
Somerset Council Leader Cllr Bill Revans has reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to community safety, cohesion and respect following concerns raised about a protest march in Taunton.
His comments were made at yesterday’s Full Council (15 July 2026) in response to a question from Cllr Habib Farbahi about the march which took place on Saturday 27 June.
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Somerset Council has approved a motion to explore automatic enrolment for free school meals, helping ensure more eligible children receive the support they are entitled to while unlocking vital funding for schools.
The move supports the Council’s commitment to giving every child the best start in life by reducing barriers for families and making it easier for eligible children to benefit from healthy, nutritious meals during the school day.
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Plans to transform Bridgwater Docks and safeguard its heritage are moving forward after planning consent was granted by Somerset Council.
The proposals form part of the Bridgwater Vision, encouraging tourism and economic opportunities as well as improving civic pride in the town and delivering an improved Active Travel route.
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Somerset Council’s new bus service providing a rail link with Castle Cary station is due to launch on 3 August.
The new 567 service will be operated by the Council using a low-floor, accessible minibus. It will run 7 days a week, including Sundays, alongside the 667 service, which already runs from Street to Castle Cary station.
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Somerset Council is celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reserve, and Ham Hill Country Park.
It comes as the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces celebrates its 30th year.
The sites are part of a record breaking 2,391 in the UK to achieve the award this year – a fantastic testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the teams that care for green spaces in Somerset, ensuring they are maintained to a high standard for visitors and residents to enjoy.
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Tonnes of sand has been removed from Minehead’s main seafront road – and returned to the beach where it belongs.
A small team from Somerset Council’s Grounds Service was deployed to Warren Road to clear the sand that has built up along the sea wall, blown in by strong winds.
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Somerset Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Lizzie Watkin as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and statutory Section 151 Officer following approval by Full Council.
Lizzie Watkin brings extensive experience of local government finance, organisational transformation, governance and strategic leadership. Throughout her career, she has helped councils strengthen financial management, drive improvement and transformation, and deliver sustainable services for residents and communities.
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Residents, businesses, community groups and other interested organisations are being invited to help shape the future of local governance in Huish Episcopi and Langport as part of a Community Governance Review.
Somerset Council has launched a public consultation to gather views on whether the current parish arrangements remain the best fit for local communities or whether changes should be made.
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Image courtesy of CDS
Over 4,000 homes and businesses in South Somerset can now access full fibre broadband thanks to a successful partnership between rural broadband specialist Wessex Internet and Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS).
Wessex Internet has delivered a critical full fibre broadband connection to 4,190 hard-to-reach rural homes and businesses, through its contract with CDS. With the network build commencing in May 2021 and an additional 1,100 properties being added to the contract in June 2022, Wessex Internet successfully completed the roll out by January 2026.
Victims of domestic abuse and violence are being offered enhanced support during the 2026 World Cup.
Officers are attending some reports of domestic abuse in partnership with Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) who are specially trained to support victims of domestic abuse who are at high risk of harm. IDVAs can provide additional help to keep victims safe, by offering access to expert advice and specialist services, and supporting them to make a police report if they wish to. They are independent of police and work with, and on behalf of, victims.
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