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News
roundup
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Somerset Council’s Executive will meet next week to consider proposals for a revised and phased move towards a fairer and more consistent approach to parking charges across the county.
There are currently different rates and charging principles applied across Somerset’s 120 council-run chargeable car parks and the system has not been reviewed since the creation of Somerset Council in 2023.
Enabling works start next month in readiness for a vital £6 million flood alleviation project to help protect homes and businesses in Taunton.
Somerset Council and the Environment Agency are working in partnership to replace and improve the river flood defences along the left bank of the Tone – Clarence Street, the river footpath by BT Exchange and by the former Poundstretcher site.
© Crown Copyright and database rights 2026 Ordnance Survey | AC0000861332 Additional information © Somerset Council
The first consultation in the process that will lead to Somerset’s new Local Plan has been completed with responses now being analysed.
The Local Plan Scoping Consultation enabled people to have their say on how Somerset could change in future and marked the first stage in the development of the Local Plan. It will help guide where and how change happens across towns, villages and the countryside over the next 20 years, but was not a consultation on specific sites.
 Somerset Council, in partnership with household collections contractor, SUEZ, has revealed top results following a year of campaigning.
There was a 7.3% rise in the amount of food waste collected between July 2025 and July 2026. The increase is equivalent to every household in Somerset recycling an additional half a kitchen caddy of food waste each month, or around 0.5kg.
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Somerset Council’s 16 recycling centres moved to their autumn and winter opening hours on Thursday, 1 October 2026.
Sites are open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and from 9am to 4pm at weekends. The autumn and winter timetable applies until 31 March 2027.
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Somerset Council and its partners have launched a new strategy setting out how they will prevent domestic abuse, support victims and families, and hold people who cause harm to account.
The Somerset Domestic Abuse Strategy 2026–2029 provides a shared plan for organisations across Somerset. It builds on the previous strategy and reflects the findings of the 2024 multi-authority Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment.
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Fostering in Somerset is inviting residents to drop in on their friendly information event in Frome this October, to discover how they could make a real difference to a local child’s life.
The session is a valuable opportunity to learn more about fostering in a relaxed and welcoming setting, whether someone is ready to take the next step or simply wants to ask a few questions.
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A Somerset kinship carer who stepped in to raise her 2 great-granddaughters after a family tragedy says the experience has brought joy, purpose, and plenty of adventures to her life.
At 74, Valerie never expected to find herself parenting again, but today her days are filled with school runs, football matches, PTA events, and even the occasional sports day race.
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Somerset Council’s Libraries service is relaunching its Winter Coat Exchange scheme, designed to support the community by providing access to warm coats for anyone in need.
Now in its 4th year, the scheme continues to receive thousands of coat donations each year. Every donated coat is given a new home, helping people across Somerset stay warm during the colder months.
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Somerset Council and Kier have been shortlisted for a top national award thanks to a new, low-carbon approach to treating roads in wintry weather.
The partnership is in line for the Net Zero Project of the Year Award at the 2026 Department for Transport (DfT) Special Recognition Awards, recognising an innovative project that is transforming how winter maintenance is delivered across Somerset, while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
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Somerset Council has won a prestigious national award thanks to dedicated teamwork with its term service surfacing contractor, Heidelberg Materials, in delivering the M5 Junction 26 Chelston Link project.
The Council’s Infrastructure Programmes Group (IPG) won Project of the Year at the prestigious Highways Award, securing further national recognition for its consistent delivery of major highway infrastructure projects.
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The 80 Miles in 8 Days Challenge Walk has once again proved a resounding success, with 30 determined walkers covering a combined total of over 820 miles along Somerset’s stunning coastline.
Now in its 3rd year, the challenge saw 2 participants make event history. Brothers Richard and Andrew Taylor completed the full challenge, with Andrew becoming the first walker to finish all 80 miles in 8 consecutive days, while Richard became the first participant to complete the challenge in 2 consecutive years.
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Willowdown Primary School in Bridgwater is celebrating the launch of its specialist inclusion base.
The school has refurbished 2 classrooms to create the 16-place provision for children who have special educational needs.
Already 7 pupils from the main school have moved into the inclusion base, meaning they remain part of the school rather than having to travel to a special school.
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4 of the county’s best military cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets in Somerset.
The award goes to those cadets who have excelled in the role and shown remarkable leadership.
In their new role they will assist Mohammed Saddiq, the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, at official engagements throughout the year, serving as ambassadors for the cadet forces.
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