News from across the Council

Read all the latest community news and updates from around the council

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Council to upgrade ageing pedestrian crossing outside Taunton’s Vivary Park

April 30, 2024

Press Release

Travel

Somerset Council is replacing traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing on Taunton’s Upper High Street. The pedestrian crossing which connects High Street with the north entrance to Vivary Park will be improved with new traffic signals and realigned markings to…

A starring role for Somerset

April 29, 2024

Community

Press Release

Somerset Council has launched a pilot project looking to cast the county in a starring role in film and television – with all the economic benefits that come with it. Supported by a successful bid to the Government’s UK Shared…

Somerset’s nature needs you! Make a difference this Earth Day.

April 22, 2024

Climate Emergency

Press Release

Somerset Council is using Earth Day to remind residents of their last chance to help shape the future for nature in the county. Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come…

Somerset Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Celebrates Record Numbers

April 18, 2024

Children and Families

SEND

The Somerset Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) team is celebrating their highest ever number of enrolments across the county, with 2908 local young people signed up to an award between April 2023 and March 2024. The DofE award is on offer…

Council to improve safety at Miner’s Arms junction

April 18, 2024

Press Release

Somerset Council is taking action to reduce deaths and serious injuries at a notorious collision site in the county. Work will be done by the Council’s contractor Octavius to realign the junction of the B3135 and B3134, known as the…

New grants programme open for arts and culture

April 12, 2024

Community

Press Release

Press release issued on behalf of the Octagon Theatre & Westlands Entertainment Venue. Local organisations and individuals delivering arts and culture projects in South Somerset are being invited to apply to Somerset Council’s new Open Grants Programme. Three grant funds…

New Deputy Lieutenants for Somerset

April 2, 2024

Press Release

They are Suresh Ariaratnam, from Bath, Jennifer Duke, who lives on Exmoor, and Sheila Wheeler, who lives in a village on the Quantock Hills. They bring to 41 the number of DLs in Somerset, spread over a wide geographic area.…

Council proposes new 20mph speed limits following requests from communities

March 28, 2024

Press Release

Travel

Somerset Council is proposing 15 new speed limits in the county at the request of local communities. The changes would be funded by the communities as part of an initiative run by the Council. Last year there were a number…

Brand new Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation set to open in May

March 27, 2024

Press Release

This is an exciting time for innovative businesses in the digital economy as the brand new purpose-built Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation (FCDI) is set to officially open its doors in Taunton. Owned and operated by Somerset Council, FCDI has…

Happy 3rd Birthday to Rowbarton Local Pantry

March 25, 2024

Community

Local pantries

Press Release

Rowbarton Local Pantry in Taunton celebrated their 3rd birthday on Saturday 23 March. Rowbarton is part of the Somerset Local Pantry Network (SLPN), who buy and collect surplus food and make it available to members for a low weekly fee.…

Somerset to get 25 new electric buses for the county’s network in major £14.7m investment

March 22, 2024

Press Release

Travel

New electric buses will serve communities in the county thanks to a joint funding bid by Somerset Council and First Bus South and huge investment from the operator. The 25 new double-decker and single decker buses will be funded by…

Everyone welcome to drop in at the Glastonbury Town Deal Open Day

March 21, 2024

Community

Events

Press Release

With Glastonbury Town Deal starting to deliver its exciting projects this year, residents and businesses are invited to the annual Open Day on Saturday 13 April. Taking place in Glastonbury Town Hall from 11am to 3pm the event will offer…

Purple chairs provide ‘beacon of safety’ for women and girls

March 20, 2024

Press Release

Purple chairs are being installed in libraries across Somerset to provide a clear beacon of safety for women and girls. The ‘Purple Chair Scheme’ provides a safe space for women and girls to get information about health and wellbeing, as…

Final push as Chard HSHAZ regeneration nears completion

March 20, 2024

Community

Press Release

The popular Somerset town of Chard is nearing completion of a major revitalisation programme, unlocking Chard’s potential as a unique place to live, work and visit. The final push is on!

Somerset finalists revealed for Britain in Bloom 2024

March 19, 2024

Community

Press Release

Cannington, Glastonbury and Yeovil in Bloom groups in Somerset have become finalists of the national Britain in Bloom gardening competition. Established by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the Britain in Bloom initiative celebrates the best of community gardening. Yeovil in…

Further support and grants available to help businesses ‘Go Green’

March 18, 2024

Climate Emergency

Press Release

Somerset Council is continuing to help businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and, in turn, save money on their energy costs through the extension of 2 pioneering schemes. Launched in October, the ‘Go Green Scheme’ and the ‘Somerset Green Business…

Yeovil Crematorium gifts £14,000 to Somerset Mind

March 14, 2024

Community

Press Release

The Yeovil branch of Mind in Somerset, the mental health charity, has been selected as Yeovil Crematorium’s Charity of Choice, receiving £14,000 towards the charity’s invaluable work in supporting anyone affected by mental illness. Raised through the Recycling of Metals…

The Knife Angel visits Somerset in April

March 14, 2024

Community

Press Release

A sculpture which aims to raise awareness of the negative effects of violence and aggression will be in Somerset next month as part of a nationwide tour. The Knife Angel stands at 27 ft tall, weighs 3.5 tonnes, and was…

Council secures bus route following contract award

March 1, 2024

Press Release

Travel

Somerset Council has awarded a new contract for its No1 bus service between Yeovil and Shepton Mallet. The agreement which followed a tendering process is with current operator South West Coaches and will offer a revised version of the service…

Momentous day for Somerset as gigafactory plans move forward

February 28, 2024

Press Release

The Leader of Somerset Council has described plans which could see Somerset become the UK’s biggest producer of electric vehicle (EV) batteries as ‘momentous’ and of global significance. Agratas, a new business within the Tata Group, has today started writing…