News Updates from North Cadbury and Yarlington Parish Council

Highways Maintenance

Update on Highway Works in South Somerset Area, Week Commencing the 06th
of September 2021.
I am writing to update you on the latest progress of SCC highway works in the South Somerset Area, for the week commencing the 06th of September 2021.
For your information, I attach the planned programme of works. Works highlighted in red indicate that this is a new scheme introduced into the works programme. Dates highlighted in red indicate a change to the original dates that have previously been detailed.
Additional 'live' information can be found on our webpage by following the link, www.travelsomerset.co.uk.
Should you wish to discuss any particular scheme in more detail, please contact this office at your earliest convenience.
You may not be aware, but the recognised platform to view planned works on the highway is via One.Network. This website gives users a visual overview of present and future works, including road closures taking place within Somerset. The system also shows the advertised diversion route for road closures.

Users can search by town, road and date. It also provides other useful driver information. Automatic email alerts can be set up by users so you can receive daily or weekly alerts of new works in a user defined area. One.Network can be found at https://one.network/public and users accounts are free to create.

The weekly report I distribute focuses solely on SCC and SRA works. The One.Network platform provides a complete overview of all planned works, including those undertaken by third parties and utility companies.

Regards

Neil McWilliams
Highway Service Manager
Somerset County Council
South Somerset Area Highways Office
Mead Avenue
Houndstone Business Park
Yeovil
Somerset
BA22 8RT

6th September 2021

Kick Start

KickStart scheme boosting career prospects for young people in Somerset

Somerset County Council is helping young people getting into the world of work though the Government's KickStart programme, and there are more vacancies still available.

The KickStart Programme offers young people aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit the chance to land a six-month work placement, paid at national minimum wage for 25 hours per week.

SCC has partnered with local employers to offer 50 six-month work placements through the programme. The programme launched in March, and there have already been several success stories.

Three KickStart employees have gone on to secure permanent roles in their chosen industries and another three will move onto apprenticeships or permanent contracts with the council at the end of their six-month placements.

Tyler Sheldrake landed a role as a Laboratory Technician through the KickStart scheme and has not looked back since.

"The KickStart placement I have been lucky enough to be a part of has greatly improved the outlook I had on a workplace. Not only has it given me the opportunity to have a job – something I was beginning to think was impossible after so much rejection – but it has given me the opportunity to enjoy what I do and develop my skills too," Tyler said.
"The reason this scheme is successful, in my opinion, is the fact it gives those who are a little lost in their professional lives the opportunity to be enrolled in placements they would've never pictured themselves working and thriving in."

Film graduate Joe Dolan has been working with Somerset County Council's ICT Transformation team after landing a placement through the KickStart scheme.

"From day one my placement at the council has been one of the most exciting, insightful, and rewarding periods of my life," Joe said.
"After a year of uncertainty, my placement has given me the chance to learn and expand both my personal and professional skillset."

Somerset County Council is significantly above the national average in terms of filling its KickStart vacancies.

However, there are still 14 placement vacancies available with SCC and our maintained schools, with roles including teaching assistant, centre activity instructor, health and safety technician, and business development assistants.

Councillor Mandy Chilcott, Deputy Leader of Somerset County Council, said: "The KickStart Programme is a great way for young people to set themselves up for a bright future and a good career.

"These job placements give participants the opportunity to develop new skills in a professional environment and gain valuable experience. It is good to see so many young people recruited through the KickStart initiative thriving in their new roles."

Somerset County Council has worked with the Somerset Centre for Integrated Learning to design a training and support plan for participants during the six-month work placements to help them get the most out of the experience.

This includes professional development such as CV writing and interview skills, and mentors who will provide guidance on gaining new skills during the work placement which will aid them in any future employment.

Cllr Chilcott added: "There are still some placement vacancies, so I would encourage anyone who is 16-24 and on Universal Credit to apply for a KickStart work placement by speaking to the work coach at their local job centre."

3rd September 2021

World Suicide Prevention Day

As World Suicide Prevention Day approaches on 10 September, I have pleasure in sending you a copy of the newsletter put together under the umbrella of the Suicide Prevention Partnership. It shows a real variety of work. I hope you find it informative.

This year we are continuing to encourage people to undertaken suicide prevention training, Let’s talk about Suicide.

Please distribute the newsletter widely and encourage colleagues and contacts to take the suicide prevention challenge. There is also a list of some of the events taking place and Somerset FT have a great campaign called Hands of Hope. I attach a sample hand for inspiration. At the end of the newsletter I have suggested 10 actions people can take to help prevent suicides.

Here is a link to the Healthy Somerset website where you can also read the newsletter and find the link to all the training options Covid 19 – working together to prevent suicide – Healthy Somerset

A HUGE thank you needs to go to all the contributors and Jasmine Williams from the Suicide Bereavement Service for putting this together at very short notice.

Please keep in touch and let me know what you get up to on the 10th. There will be quite a lot of social media to join in with.

With thanks


Louise Finnis
Public Health Specialist - Public Mental Health and Neighbourhoods Programme
Public Health
Tel: 01823 357 252
Mobile: 07977 401 942
Email: lfinnis@somerset.gov.uk

3rd September 2021

SWP Update

Please find the latest SWP services update

2nd September 2021

Grants

£5,000 grants to help rural businesses bounce back

Grants of up to £5,000 are now available to help businesses in rural parts of Somerset bounce back after the coronavirus pandemic.

The Rural Services Grant Fund is part of a £6m package of funding from Somerset County Council which aims to kickstart the county's economy.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on many rural communities in Somerset. The £5,000 grants (up to 80% of project costs) are now available to assist service businesses in rural areas to help them move forward and become more sustainable. A business will need to provide 20% of their own match funding.

Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council's Cabinet Member for the Economy, Planning and Community Infrastructure, said: "This has been a really tough 18 months for our rural businesses and we're committed to helping them get back on track.

"This grant is for items that will help a business provide further services or enhance their trading – so to provide an online sales platform or an increased trading space. It's a great opportunity and I would encourage eligible businesses to step forward and ensure they don't miss out."

The application process is open to:
Sole Traders providing rural services
Businesses providing rural services
Town and Parish Councils
Local Community led organisations operating on a not-for-profit basis and are legally constituted

The fund launches today (26 August 2021) and will close at 5pm on 10 September 2021. Initial applications will be treated on a first come, first served basis but we will need time to check eligibility and respond. To apply you will need to complete an Expression of Interest form which can be found at Somerset Recovery Fund – click on Rural Renaissance Rural Services Grant.

Once your Expression of Interest has been reviewed, if the work is eligible and appropriate, you will be invited to submit a Full Application. This will then require three quotes, further details of the aims/objectives and trading accounts to enable us to assess the project fully.

If you require further information please email your query to RRGrants@somerset.gov.uk.

The scheme is part of the Somerset Recovery Fund – a wider £6m package of funding from Somerset County Council to kickstart Somerset's economy in the wake of Covid-19. This fund will include financial support for businesses, financial support for individuals and a range of other measures to stimulate the economy and boost the county as it recovers from coronavirus.

31st August 2021

Wessex Internet

Just to let you know that Wessex Internet has a stand at the Mid-Somerset show at Shepton Mallet this Sunday, 15th August. Our team will be on hand to answer questions about our internet coverage as well as talk about local recruitment opportunities.

Details are below, should you or any residents/fellow parish council members are attending. We’d love to see you - we are on stand P2. Details below:

http://www.midsomersetshow.org.uk/events/view/mid-somerset-show/

Christine O’Grady
Community Engagement Manager

T: 07956 333782 | E: christine.o’grady@wessexinternet.com
wessexinternet.com

11th August 2021

Parish Council Vacancy

Are you interested in contributing, representing and making a change in your community? Would you like to help improve the quality of life in the Parish? The Parish council needs your experience, energy and enthusiasm!!

If you would like to know more please contact the Clerk, Chairman or speak to a local councillor. Applications to be received in writing, or by email, to the Clerk by Tuesday 20th September 2021.

Email:  parishclerk@northcadbury.org.uk


Download document (pdf)

10th August 2021

PCSO

Good evening

I would like to introduce myself as a new PCSO based in Wincanton.

I will be covering North Cadbury.

If there is anything I could help you with, do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,


Beata Marcelino
PCSO 6164
Wincanton Rural West

Wincanton Neighbourhood Policing Team| Avon and Somerset Police
14 Market Place, BA9 9LH

Tel 101
Mob 07701283642
E-mail beata.marcelino@avonandsomerset.police.uk

www.avonandsomerset.police.uk | Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

10th August 2021

Covid-19 Update

Please find attached this week’s Covid-19 update for Somerset on behalf of the Engagement Board.
Following an announcement made yesterday at a Downing Street press conference, 16 and 17 year olds will soon be invited to have their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. This is great news as the more people receiving the vaccination the better protected we all are.

The national media are also reporting the news we are unfortunately seeing a rise in the number of pregnant women with Covid-19, and nationally some pregnant women are being hospitalised. In part this is because vaccination rates in pregnancy remain low. In the vaccination section of the update we have included important information for pregnant women, and those breastfeeding or looking to become pregnant.

We are also reminding everyone of the need to use our local healthcare services wisely, as our hospitals and ambulance service have come under increasing pressure in recent weeks.

I wish you all a fine evening

George Haslock
Communications Officer
Public Health
Somerset County Council
Mobile: 07765043226
Email: ghaslock@somerset.gov.uk

Covid 19 update

6th August 2021

Somerset Waste Partnership Update

Please find attached the latest Waste Partnership Update

Somerset Waste Partnership

4th August 2021

South Cadbury Fete and BBQ

On 4th September, South Cadbury Village Hall is organising an afternoon Fete and evening BBQ for all local villagers. We have delivered flyers to most houses in North Cadbury, and the same leaflet is attached to this email.

Entry for everyone is FREE!

This is our first large event since the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted and we hope to see as many villagers, families and friends as possible enjoy the day. Come along and celebrate our return to normality! There'll be lots to keep children entertained, together with competitions and refreshments appropriate for all ages

4th August 2021

Briefing note from David Fothergill

Please find the latest briefing note from David Fothergill, Leader of Somerset County Council

August Briefing

2nd August 2021

Covid-19 Update

Good evening,
Please find attached this week’s Covid-19 update for Somerset on behalf of the Engagement Board.
Here in Somerset the cases of Covid-19 are still high but, like the rest of the country, there has been a reduction of rates in the last week. It is too early to be sure why our cases are falling and it may not mean there is less virus circulating. We also know there are many cases of Long Covid now being reported nationwide and this is something which people need to be aware of.

To keep yourself and others safe you should get vaccinated, continue to participate in testing and self-isolate when required. Although it is no longer a legal requirement, we also recommend you wear a face covering, keep your distance, meet outdoors and ensure your indoor spaces are well ventilated.

With this in mind, we continue to urge caution, and encourage you to help us spread the message, ‘think twice, do the right thing and stay safe’.

I wish you all a fine evening.

George Haslock
Communications Officer
Public Health
Somerset County Council
Mobile: 07765043226
Email: ghaslock@somerset.gov.uk

30th July 2021

Message from the Chairman

I am also very sorry to have to announce the sad death on Wednesday 21st July of Barrie Board, a respected and whole hearted former colleague on the Parish Council and also temporarily a member of the Community Plan and Neighbourhood Plan Groups. He was a person who cared deeply about the Parish and gave generously of his time for the betterment of our villages and the people within them. He was a cheerful, amusing and committed contributor to our considerations and he will, as a somewhat larger than life character, be sorely missed in the community."

29th July 2021

Message from the Chairman

By now it is probable that many will have learned of the very sad death of Archie Montgomery, in his sleep on Saturday morning. While sending our sincere condolences to Janet, Rory and the family, we should also recall how important Archie's life was for the life of our community. For him, North Cadbury has been at the centre of his being. He has committed his life to it in so many generous ways. He was not one for self publicity and so many of his achievements may have gone unnoticed but we, who knew him, were aware of his work and commitment. We shall all miss his considerable service to the Community.

19th July 2021

SSDC Update

Updates on Coronavirus in South Somerset

Recent and upcoming changes

From 19 July ENGLAND
England has moved to Step 4 of the roadmap. Everyone should be cautious while managing the risks as cases of COVID-19 remain high. Find out what you should do to protect yourself and others.
Fully vaccinated people returning to England from most amber list countries will not need to quarantine.

From 2 August ENGLAND
People who have been fully vaccinated in the US and most European countries, will not need to quarantine when arriving in England from amber list countries. There’s also no need for a test on day 8.

From 16 August ENGLAND
If you’re fully vaccinated or under 18, you will not need to self-isolate following close contact with someone who has COVID-19. You’ll still need to take a PCR test and self-isolate if it’s positive.

The overall message to residents is ‘think twice, do the right thing, and don’t let your guard down’ with a number of positive cases still being recorded across the district.

Employers have a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their staff and customers and Covid-19 risk assessments will need to be reviewed in the light of the latest advice. It is important to respect and be considerate of those who may wish to take a more cautious approach as restrictions are lifted.

The following behaviours should be encouraged by staff to help protect themselves and reduce sickness absence:

1. Meeting in well-ventilated areas where possible, such as outdoors or indoors with windows open.
2. Wearing a face covering where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet in enclosed and crowded spaces.
3. Washing your hands with soap and water or using hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day.
4. Covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze.
5. Staying at home if unwell, to reduce the risk of passing on other illnesses onto colleagues and others in your community.
6. Considering individual risks, such as clinical vulnerabilities and vaccination status.

Our main office at Brympton Way will remain closed to the public while our Customer Connect office at Petters Way will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 2.30pm, on Wednesdays from 9am to 4pm, except for the first Wednesday of every month when due to staff training we open at noon.

In order to protect our staff, we will be asking customers to continue to wear face masks when visiting our Customer Connect office or any other site where they may be interacting with our teams indoors (such as Yeovil Crematorium and the Cartgate Tourist Information Centre).

The Ninesprings café and new Yeovil Rec café remain open with customers asked to wear masks at these venues when not seated at a table to protect other customers and our staff.

Our phonelines remain open from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday although please use our website in the first instance as our phonelines can get very busy at peak times.

Our Customer Access Point site and customer site at Lace Mill in Chard is open 9.30am to 4.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; at Wincanton 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday; at Crewkerne 9.30am to 1pm Monday to Friday.

We have also made the decision to continue to allow staff to work from home where possible.


Visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/coronavirus for information on a range of different matters including support that is available.

Garden Waste suspension - Update from Somerset Waste Partnership

Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) has reluctantly decided to suspend garden waste collections for six weeks from 2 August. If you are a subscriber, you do not need to do anything. Your subscription will be automatically extended by eight weeks, in recognition the disruption, especially at a key time of year for gardeners.

Garden waste collections will continue up to and including Friday 30 July. We will not return for missed collections after that date. During the suspension, garden waste subscriptions cannot be started, garden waste sacks cannot be purchased, and collections of sacks cannot be booked.

We are sincerely sorry for the recent disruption to all collections. We are working hard with our contractor SUEZ but unfortunately there are no quick fixes.

Why this is happening?

After a year in which crews managed heavier loads and often far longer hours, the LGV driver shortage and Covid self-isolation of staff are significantly disrupting services.
Suspending garden waste collections allows us to redeploy staff to support vital rubbish and recycling services. It will not get the services back to normal, but it will help minimise disruption. We are not alone; many councils face similar pressures.
We expect to restart collections from Monday 13 September. If that changes, we will contact subscribers.

What next?

You do not need to take any action. Your garden waste subscription end date will automatically be extended by a further eight weeks.
If you must get in touch, complete the online form. This is the quickest and easiest way to make contact.

If you are unable to use the online form, DO NOT contact your district council – it is NOT involved in managing the garden waste suspension. Instead, call this dedicated phone line Monday-Friday 9am-5pm 01823 589900.

What to do with garden waste

Do not put garden waste into rubbish or recycling containers. They will not be collected.

Instead:
Recycle sites: All 16 Somerset recycle sites take garden waste. Full details, including opening hours, here.
Compost: More on home composting, including a subsidised bin offer, here.
Reduce: Mow and prune less this summer.
Mulch: Use grass cuttings to retain moisture and reduce weeds.

The Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service firmly advises against having bonfires, given the risks of fires spreading, the likely nuisance for neighbours and the potential diversion of emergency services. Check out their downloadable bonfire leaflet here.

19th July 2021

Right of Ways Report July 21

Please find attached the latest ROW report for July 2021

ROW Report

18th July 2021

Update from Somerset Waste Partnership

Summary

· Collection performance has unfortunately deteriorated due to continued staffing shortages. Note the emerging impact of Covid self-isolation.
Partner Customer Service teams, notably in South Somerset, continue to field extra calls as a result of collection problems.

· SUEZ recruitment and retention work continues.

· Recycle More has completed three weeks in South Somerset. While the launch has been hindered by wider collection issues, indications are that it is collecting considerable extra recycling.

· Remaining safety restrictions will be lifted from Recycling Sites on Monday, meaning that staff can again offer assistance.

Collection performance and returning for missed collections

This week has, unfortunately, seen collections performance dip again with a significant number of missed collections across the county.
This is primarily down to staffing issues, with Covid self-isolation beginning to exacerbate an already very difficult position. As the final easing of restrictions takes place on Monday, we are understandably concerned about impact a 'track and trace Pingdemic' could have on staffing in the coming days and weeks. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/16/bins-in-england-go-uncollected-due-to-covid-test-and-trace-pingdemic?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

We are doing everything we can to minimise the impact and at least ensure the disruption happens in a managed way that does repeatedly affect the same individuals or areas.

SWP remains is confident missed rubbish and garden collections will be returned for within two working days.
For missed recycling collections, crews will do their best to return within two working days. If they cannot get back in two days, they will return on the following week's collection day.

Inevitably, more people will find themselves effectively waiting for two weeks for a recycling collection. Steps are being taken to make sure this does not happen to the same people repeatedly.
The hot weather forecast for next week is an added challenge, for the crews carrying out this manual work, and for those who have delayed recycling collections.
For most people the 'dry' recycling should not be a major issue. However, there are understandable concerns about food waste. We will be taking extra steps to publicise guidance on how to manage waste when recycling is delayed.

· If your food waste bin is full you can take it to a recycling site or add it to your rubbish bin (double-bagging reduces smells). It will go to the energy from waste plant in Avonmouth.
· Make extra room by flattening cardboard, squashing plastic bottles (put lids back on afterwards) and crushing tins and cans (if safe to do so).
· Put out extra recycling in a cardboard box or other suitable container.
· If waste really has to go, take recycling to a recycling site. If that is not possible you can put it into your rubbish bin.

Customer services

The poor collection performance continues to put pressure on district Customer Services.

This is pronounced in South Somerset where the new Recycle More service is adding to the volume of calls. Temporary staff are being used to help manage the situation, which does mean inexperienced staff dealing with sometimes angry members of the public.

Most contact is around missed recycling collections, some in the form of formal complaints. This is being closely monitored with daily meetings between SWP and contact centre leads.

SUEZ, recruitment and retention

Dedicated additional staff are continuing to push on recruitment and retention. High profile advertising is being taken forward, including a full-page advert on the back of the July Your Somerset and on the side of vans (with some initial promising results).

A loyalty bonus scheme was formally introduced to drivers this week and a number of drivers and loaders have joined this month. But more are needed and the lag time between recruitment efforts and new recruits in post and driving vehicles is understood.

SWP continues to apply pressure to SUEZ through the contract to make improvements and deliver on a robust recovery plan. We are doing this while understanding that the underlying issues and the challenges of the nationwide driver shortage.

Recycle More

The roll-out is now at the end of its third week, meaning all residents should have had a rubbish collection on the new schedule as well as three recycling collections.

While the initial indications of additional tonnages are very promising, we are well aware that the launch has not gone as smoothly as we would have liked.

The delivery of Bright Blue Bags was patchy in some areas and the launch coincided with the staffing shortages. Combined with crews learning new routes and processes, we have had more missed collections than we would expected and customer contact and perception will not be as hoped.

The number of missed collections has been falling, though clearly the shortage of staff will make it harder to deliver the fully reliable collections for the time being.

At this difficult time across the service, it is important not to lose sight of the benefits, environment and financial, that Recycle More brings. All the signs are that it will collect at least as much extra recycling as we have seen in Mendip, and it also reduces our overall need for drivers.

Recycling sites

In line with the nationwide lifting of restrictions, the last of the additional safety measures be lifted at SWP's 16 recycling sites as of Monday (19 July).

The differences site visitors will see are:
· Site staff will start to assist residents with their waste, where asked to do so. Staff may ask the resident to 'step away' from the waste to reduce close contact.
· Social distancing signage will be removed.
· The staff refuge areas will be removed from all sites.
· Face masks will no longer be required outside (note, very few members of the pubic have been wearing masks on site)

Please note that Viridor will maintain its Covid testing capacity, follow government guidance on self-isolation and maintain the Covid hygiene standards on sites, including deep cleaning.

18th July 2021

Covid-19 Update

Good evening
Please find attached this week’s Covid-19 update for Somerset on behalf of the Engagement Board.
From Monday 19 July, the majority of legal restrictions relating to Covid-19 will be lifted, but the risks of Covid-19 have not gone away. As cases rise here and across the country, we urge you to be cautious, not only for yourselves, but to protect our vulnerable residents and frontline workers. This update contains our recommendations, and our message to everyone is please ‘think twice, do the right thing, and don’t let your guard down’.

With thanks and best wishes.

Emma McKee
Communications Officer
Public Health
Somerset County Council
County Hall, Taunton
Somerset, TA1 4DY

Covid 19 update

17th July 2021

Summer Holidays food support for Somerset families

Somerset County Council will continue to provide help to families in need of food support over the school Summer Holidays.

The Department of Work and Pensions has extended its Covid Local Support Grant, providing £1.4m to Somerset County Council to support vulnerable families.

The Council is using the grant to fund food vouchers worth £15 per week for children eligible for Free School Meals over the six-week Summer Holidays.

The food vouchers will be distributed by local schools and the Council would like to thank the school staff who have undertaken the work to make sure the eligible families can access the vouchers.

Somerset County Council has been working to tackle holiday hunger during the pandemic, providing funding for food and vouchers over the October, February, and May half-term periods, as well as the Christmas and Easter holidays.

There will be further support for children and young people on Free School Meals in Somerset thanks to the Happy Healthy Holidays Somerset programme.

Somerset County Council recently teamed up with Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) to deliver fun activities and healthy food to nearly 1,800 children over the Easter holidays, and plans are in place to significantly expand this offer for the upcoming Summer Holidays.

There will be more than 80 venues across Somerset offering face-to-face provision during the Summer Holidays for children aged from 5 to 16, with activities on offer including sports, music workshops, kayaking and much more.

There are places for around 6,000 young people who qualify for Free School Meals, and the opportunity for thousands of other Somerset youngsters to get involved in the activities too.

Leader of Somerset County Council, Councillor David Fothergill, said: "Thanks to this additional funding, Somerset is in an excellent position to help families in need with food support over the Summer Holidays.

"This will be bolstered by the Happy Healthy Holidays Somerset programme which will give thousands of children and young people access to a wide variety of activities to keep them active, social and healthy."

The Happy Healthy Holidays Somerset programme will run for four weeks, and the booking system is now live on the SASP website: Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership - Happy Healthy Holidays Programme (sasp.co.uk)

Anyone in Somerset who needs support with access to food or medicines, or emotional and financial support, can call the Somerset Coronavirus Helpline on 0300 790 6275, seven days a week, 8am to 6pm, or visit the CCS Village Agents website https://somersetagents.org/help-with-food/.

17th July 2021

Neighbourhood Policing Newsletter

Apologies for the late newsletter. Please do let us know if there are any other groups or people you feel would benefit from our newsletter.

Kind Regards

Katie Maun

Katie Maun
Sgt 4073

Somerton and Wincanton Neighbourhood Policing Team | Avon and Somerset Police
Somerton Police Station, Kirkham Street, Somerton TA11 7NN
Wincanton Police Station, Churchfields, Wincanton, BA9 9AG

Mob 07889658542
Email katie.maun@avonandsomerset.police.uk

www.avonandsomerset.police.uk | Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

July 21

12th July 2021

St Margarets Hospice

We hope that this email finds you and everyone at North Cadbury & Yarlington Parish Council well.

Thank you for your letter of 01st July 2021. We were delighted to receive your cheque for £250 towards our nursing services in the Parish Council area. Please pass our grateful thanks to the councillors for agreeing to support the work of St Margaret's Hospice.

On behalf of our patients, their families, our volunteers, and staff, Thank you!

We are so grateful for the ongoing support from local funders such as yourself and we would love to update you on the work of the hospice and show how your generous grant makes a real difference in the lives of local people in North Cadbury and Yarlington.

Current clinical context

Essentially, we are still operating in a world very much constrained by COVID at this time. Although we are pleased to report that our clinical staff are now fully vaccinated, with a new variant on the rise, we must remain vigilant. The priority continues to be keeping our patients and staff as safe as possible.

The team has developed a clinical roadmap, which encompasses all our services, and aligns with the government's roadmap out of lockdown. While we have continued to provide face-to-face care for patients who really need it during lockdown on our In-patient Unit and in patient's own homes, we are now very gradually beginning to open up more in-person services in a safe, risk-assessed way. This includes physiotherapy and lymphoedema outpatient clinics for a limited number of patients. Day hospices are not yet able to reopen safely, but the needs of patients are currently being assessed and met by the community nursing and therapy teams.

We will continue to deliver a significant amount of care remotely for the foreseeable future.

Continuing fallout of COVID

Our 24-hour telephone Adviceline has been a lifeline for thousands during the pandemic and continues to be so with higher levels of calls now a new normal. As well as a sustained increase in volume – 572 calls in April this year – the calls themselves are far more complex than previously handled. Our teams are dealing with more families, who are raising concerns regarding domestic abuse, personal neglect, and the mental health of patients and those close to them. Nurses manning the helpline provide specialist advice and support for patients and families as well as health care professionals requiring our end-of-life expertise.

With familiar support networks limited due to the pandemic, our bereavement services are also seeing a spike in demand among those who have lost someone in the past year. Many more grieving people are seeking our help in the days and weeks following a bereavement; the usual pattern would see referrals coming through after several months. Helping them to understand that their feelings are normal, and part of the natural grieving process is a really important step. Our small team, alongside a highly experienced team of bereavement volunteers, are filling the gap.

As we come out of lockdown, the hospice is now feeling the unseen impact of the COVID pandemic. Delays in diagnoses and referrals for our services mean that we are seeing patients who are further advanced in their illness, experiencing more complex symptoms and are simply more poorly. The demand for our expertise and support will continue to be affected by pandemic for the next year and beyond.

A renewed Yeovil hub

Since last summer, St Margaret's hospice in Yeovil has been partnering with Yeovil District Hospital to provide a safe space for local cancer patients to continue with their treatments during the pandemic. This collaboration has been crucial for vulnerable patients, and we have recently formalised this arrangement for the foreseeable future. Working alongside our new neighbours, St Margaret's has taken the opportunity to review the way the space we have is used and a reconfiguration of the hub is underway before we fully reopen our clinics and therapies. Several rooms are being converted to make more space for the growing physio, lymphoedema and complementary therapy services. The Sunflower Suite is being converted into a series of spaces that can be used to support families with young children and other group work, such as our counselling sessions for teenagers who have lost parents.

Financial update

Our accounts for the most recent financial year 2020/21 will not be ready until later in the year, but like most charities over the last twelve months we have found income generation particularly challenging. With our network of 33 shops closed for the best part of a year and public fundraising and events cancelled or postponed we had to find alternative ways to generate income, while carefully managing our spend and keeping services operational. Across the hospice we adapted and reallocated resource to focus on the areas where we could still achieve a positive return.

St Margaret's will therefore finish the financial year 2020/21 with a surplus, thanks to the local community, the ongoing generosity of supporters such as North Cadbury & Yarlington Parish Council, as well as other emergency grants and funding that we have unlocked because of Covid. We are delighted to report a positive result from fundraising where we raised approximately £1.6M which is comparable with the prior year. Legacy income was down slightly with cash receipts amounting to approximately £2.5M. Our weekly lottery was played on average by 12,000 people and generated some £700K. All figures are yet to be finalised.

In addition, we benefited from the emergency funding provided by the UK Government, and received approximately £2.0M in one-off grants during the year. This funding was a result of the lobbying of Hospice UK, on behalf of hospices nationally, recognising the crucial frontline role that we have played during the pandemic – while our traditional avenues for income generation were on hold.

At the same time, we applied for and secured business grants for our network of 33 charity shops, totalling £391K, which is again part of the Government's emergency package of support. We also took advantage of the Government's job retention scheme, enabling us to furlough and make savings on salaries during the year. The result is that our turnover as a hospice reduced significantly, but across the organisation we have monitored expenditure carefully and have streamlined activities and have been able to continue delivering our services and care across Somerset, in line with our vision.

Looking ahead, we expect the next twelve months to be just as challenging if not more difficult and we are forecasting a deficit budget for 2021/22 in the region of £1.5M. The primary reason for this is that we expect no further emergency funding from the UK Government, which while extremely welcome, was only a temporary stop gap, filling the shortfall resulting from commercial losses and restrictions on income generation.

While we will be re-opening our shops and are phasing our return to public fundraising activities including getting canvassers back on the streets, we expect to have to work twice as hard to generate similar levels of income, as our costs also return. Further, we recognise that the economic downturn will have impacted on our community in adverse ways, and that supporters may need to consider their own financial position before committing further support to the hospice.

If you have any questions at all about our current situation or our future plans, please feel free to get in touch. My contact details are below. When we are able to meet face to face again, we would very much like to host a tour of one of our Hospice Hubs for the trustees so that you can see first-hand how we support those in Somerset facing a life limiting illness.

Thank you again for your generous support of our work.

Yours sincerely,

Samantha Mahon​
Trust and Major Gift Officer
Tel: 01823 333822
Ext: 1016

9th July 2021

Covid-19 Update

Please find attached this week’s Covid-19 update for Somerset on behalf of the Engagement Board.
On Monday, the Prime Minister set out the plans for the final step of the roadmap out of lockdown for England. Step 4 is expected to begin on Monday 19 July if the Government’s ‘four tests’ for easing restrictions have been met, and we will receive an update from the Government about this next Monday.

We appreciate that some people see Step 4 as ‘back to normal’ but it’s important to understand that the pandemic is not over. In line with the national picture, cases here in Somerset are still rising, and we recommend that everyone continues to be sensible. With that in mind, this Sunday, England play in the final of the Euros. We know how many people are excited about the match and we’re reminding everyone how to watch it safely in this week’s update and across our social media channels. Please help reinforce our message by sharing our posts with your followers. Thank you.
With very best wishes

Emma McKee
Communications Officer
Public Health
Somerset County Council
County Hall, Taunton
Somerset, TA1 4DY

Covid 19 update

9th July 2021

Somerset Waste Partnership

Please find the latest update from the Somerset Waste Partnership for you, your councillors and residents. I've discovered that they won't take plastic flower pots in the new blue bag. If anyone has a recycling solution please do let me know. I've been saving my plastic flower pots for more than ten years waiting for the day that plastics could be recycled. Alas it looks as though I will still have to wait !!!

Best regards,

Mike Lewis

Somerset Waste Partnership

9th July 2021

A303 update

Please find attached a briefing note on the upcoming works that are scheduled to start later this year on the A303. The document has been pulled together by SSDC tourism, ED and Visit Somerset following a meeting with Highway’s England and their contractors. The document gives an overview of the scheme, proposed timings of work and where you can sign up to get the latest information from Highway’s England.

As well as sending to you as a parish where the route runs through or near this will also be sent out to businesses on our database locally, councillors who have wards that the route runs through and the tourism newsletter. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Karen

Karen Chalke
Specialist - Economic Development (Tue to Fri)
Place and Recovery
South Somerset District Council

A303 Update

8th July 2021

Stronger Somerset

Invitation to progress pilots for locality agreements

You will be aware that localism is a key guiding principle underpinning the Stronger Somerset business case. We have a clear view of the potential for a new relationship to support stronger communities. We want greater power and control devolved to local people where they want that, making sure that public services are delivered in ways that address local needs.

You will know that Somerset voters have chosen Stronger Somerset as their preferred model of local government reorganisation in the local poll by a margin of 65% to 35%. Of course, we must wait for the Secretary of State to announce his decision on how to proceed, though it is clear that he must take proper account of the clearly expressed voice of local people.

In the meantime, we are continuing our work with towns and parishes to explore how we can work together to develop locality agreements as a way of strengthening local capacity and devolving powers and responsibilities, based on local needs and aspirations.

A locality agreement would be an arrangement between the local authority and the locality as equal partners confirming the vision and ambition of the area and what each party agrees to do to achieve this. It would specify powers and responsibilities to be devolved in return for agreements about outcomes to be achieved. The agreements would vary in scope and scale to reflect local circumstances, for example:

· Council development agreements – these will be offered to city, town and parish councils to help with governance arrangements and community engagement, as well as helping them access services such as favourable procurement frameworks, HR and finance.
· Service or asset-based agreements – these could involve assets, such as a building or a service, transferred permanently or for a fixed-term
· People or place-based agreements – for example, an agreement to work to reduce isolation and inactivity of older people, that would in turn reduce demand on residential care places or the number of emergency hospital admissions.

These kinds of agreements could support wider policy agendas such as economic development, population health, or crime prevention. They could involve the investment of money for evidence-based activity with projected benefits to public services.

This work to test and develop the concept of locality agreements will be of tremendous value whatever decision the Secretary of State makes. Any new unitary council, whether it be for Western Somerset, Eastern Somerset or indeed the whole of Somerset, must be able to establish productive and respectful relationships with its city, parish and town councils. And we would expect they would be able to build on the productive work we have already started.

Our approach through Stronger Somerset stands in contrast to that of One Somerset, which has been confirmed once more in its Cabinet papers to be discussed on 12 July.

We have already help productive discussions with several local councils and are keen to develop our work and our approach in partnership with others who may be interested. Please do get in touch if you would like a discussion about how we might do this by emailing sara.skirton@mendip.gov.uk or if you have other questions about our vision and approach, please visit https://www.strongersomerset.co.uk/contact . You can also get more information on the Stronger Somerset website, www.strongersomerset.co.uk/community.

8th July 2021

SSC News Release

Press release
For immediate release
£500k fund to help Somerset's communities open up safely
A new £500,000 fund is being launched by Somerset County Council to help towns and parishes reopen community facilities safely and bring people back together.

As national coronavirus restrictions ease, the County Council is working in partnership with Somerset Association of Local Councils (SALC) to help towns and parishes open up village halls, meeting rooms and other facilities in a Covid-secure way.

The safe reopening will reassure people that they can reconnect with their communities after long months of isolation and remove some of the anxieties they may have around social mixing.

The money is being allocated by Somerset County Council from Contain Outbreak Management Funding (COMF), provided by the Department for Health and Social Care to support public health activities directly related to the Covid-19 response.

Leader of the Council David Fothergill said: ""We're committed to empowering our local communities and I'm delighted to launch this fund which will help ensure local facilities can reopen safely.

"Parish and town councils are at the grass roots of local community democracy and as the first tier of local government play a key role in supporting community activity."

Councillor Clare Paul, Cabinet member for Public Health and Education, said: "This is about supporting people to feel safe and confident as the restrictions ease after lockdowns and to encourage people to use their village halls and facilities to meet, re-establish support groups and activities in a measured responsible way."

The fund is due to launch in September 2021 and will be led and administered by SALC with support from the County Council. Communities with parish meetings will be included.

Chief Executive of SALC Justin Robinson said: "Many of Somerset's town and parish councils have already made an extraordinary contribution during the pandemic and this new funding will be available to all parishes to assist with opening up safely and rebuilding community confidence as lockdown eases.

"This new partnership approach to distributing funding is extremely welcome and a new way of working which sits well alongside both proposals for local government reorganisation."

"We will be working with Somerset County Council over the next few weeks to finalise the guidance for the fund and will circulate this information to all parishes in Somerset at the end of July."

7th July 2021

Somerset Waste Partnership

Please find attached today's update on SWP services. This is accurate at the time of sending, though crews are still out and the picture may change during the course of the day. We will endeavour to update web content and post into local Facebook groups if needed.

Best wishes,

Mark Ford
Head of Communications and Engagement
Somerset Waste Partnership

7th July 2021

Missed Collections

Returning for missed collections
SUEZ has caught up on outstanding refuse and garden waste and is in a position to return for missed collections in a timely way. However, recycling remains a challenge with too many missed collection and unreliable return times.

We encourage residents to report all missed collections and to do it online through the Somerset Waste Partnership website if possible. Residents can call their district council, but service disruption means they are receiving lots of calls and we want to make sure there is capacity to support customers with issues that cannot be handled online.

To clarify the situation and manage expectations this is how we are now responding to missed collections.
· Missed rubbish and garden waste collections - we will return within two working days. Make sure you leave it out in the usual place.

· Missed recycling collections - we will do our best to return within two days. If we cannot get back in that time we will return on your next scheduled collection day the following week.

We will be reflecting this in communications and through Customer Service teams.

All containers out by 6am please
Recycling, rubbish and garden waste should all be put out the night before collection days, or by 6am at the latest on the day itself.

This will allow crews to start collections early if needed - for example during a period of hot weather - and give SWP and SUEZ more flexibility when planning collections.

Disruption to collections
A number of recycling rounds in Taunton are at risk of incompletion today, but every effort is being put in to minimise disruption.

Crews are returning today for missed recycling collections from yesterday (6 July) in parts of Taunton and in the Chard area.

They should also be picking-up garden waste collections missed yesterday in Watchet and Somerton, and rubbish collections missed in Henley, Hewish, West Crewkerne and Coombe.

Container deliveries: Extra crews are catching up on deliveries of new and replacement recycling boxes, food waste bins and rubbish bins. Demand is high, so please bear with us as it is taking longer than usual.

Crews are still out so a final position will not be known until later this afternoon or early evening. We post updates of note into local Facebook groups where possible.

South Somerset:
· Rubbish – Returning for missed collections from yesterday in Hewish, Henley, West Crewkerne and Coombe.
· Recycling – Returning for missed collections from yesterday in Chard, Wambrook, Tatworth and Crewkerne.
· Garden Waste - Returning for missed collection from yesterday in Somerton.

*Recycle More: Anyone without a bag can request one through the SWP website somersetwaste.gov.uk Use the My Waste Services menu and the 'Waste boxes, bins and bags' option.
If you do not have a bag by the time of your collection, please leave the new materials (sorted if possible) into existing boxes if there is space, or in a bag or cardboard box alongside your recycling containers.

Somerset West and Taunton:
· Rubbish – No significant issues expected with today's collections.
· Recycling – Missed collections in Taunton yesterday due to be collected today: Albemarle Road, Beaufort Road, Belvedere Road, Chip Lane, The Avenue, Bishop Fox Drive, Fouracre Close, Calway Road, Kings Close and Holway Avenue.
A number of today's recycling rounds in Taunton are at risk of incompletion, but every effort is being put in to minimise disruption.
· Garden Waste - Returning for missed collection from yesterday in Watchet.

Mendip:
· Rubbish – No significant issues expected with today's collections.
· Recycling – No significant issues expected with today's collections.
· Garden Waste – No significant issues expected with today's collections.

Sedgemoor:
· Rubbish – No significant issues expected with today's collections.
· Recycling – No significant issues expected with today's collections.
· Garden Waste – No significant issues expected with today's collections.

SWP apologises for the recent disruption. We and our contractor SUEZ are working together to get the service back to where it should be. However, there may be further disruption and missed collections in the coming days.

These problems are largely down to the national shortage of LGV drivers. It's a long-term issue worsened by Covid - which has delayed driver training and testing - and the departure of many EU drivers. The driver demand created by the recent reopening of non-essential retail has added to the pressures.

recruitment is especially difficult in Somerset because we are home to many distribution centres. SUEZ is providing extra staff and other support from elsewhere in the country, while working hard to address the longer-term staffing issues.

Crews have been collecting about 20% more waste due to the pandemic. That makes it hard to complete rounds and means staff have worked extended hours for a long time.

7th July 2021

Parish Council Website updates

Your Parish Council Website has had two recent updates.

1. You can now find out what planning applications are happening in your area, At the bottom of the Homepage click on the link titled "Planning Applications" and it will take you to a all the relevant applications. If you wish to know more about a particular application just click on the Application number at it will take you directly to it on the SSDC website.

2. There is now a photo Gallery for Parishioners to store their favourite memories of the villages. The link is again located at the bottom of the Homepage titled "Photo Galleries" If you have any photos you wish to publish then simply forward them to alanrickers@northcadbury.org.uk

4th July 2021

Covid Update

Good afternoon

Please find attached this week's Covid-19 update for Somerset on behalf of the Engagement Board.
This weekend, England play in the quarter finals of the Euro's. We know that many people are excited about the match and we're reminding everyone how to watch it safely on Saturday night in this week's update and across our social media channels. Please help reinforce our message by sharing our posts with your followers. Thank you.

With very best wishes

Emma McKee
Communications Officer
Public Health
Somerset County Council
County Hall, Taunton
Somerset, TA1 4DY

Covid 19 update

2nd July 2021

Somerset Improvements

Good morning

Somerset County Council are about to undertake the above Small Improvement Scheme on Old Bristol Road at the A303 junction. I understand that a more significant scheme was considered at this location, including possibly changing junction priorities, but that this was not locally supported.

The revised scheme will introduce some improved signing on the local roads, aimed at improving compliance with the existing weight restriction. The scheme will also increase the radius of the turn onto the road eastwards to Holton (helping larger vehicles avoid the weight restriction and reducing the risk of damage to the kerbing and verge at the corner), as well as other improvements to the Blackford Hollow/ Lower Woolston junction to improve safety and to discourage large vehicles from travelling north along the unsuitable route to Woolston.

A plan showing the full scheme can be seen on our website at www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/small-improvement-schemes-directory/ (look for ‘TI004298 Lower Woolston construction plan’ in South Somerset District).

The works are due to start on 19 July, and are expected to last up to 2 weeks. As part of the works, a road closure will be required to ensure the safety of both road users and site operatives, as well as other traffic management in the area including temporary signals. I have attached a notice of the temporary road closure, and would be very grateful if you could make this available within your parish to inform local residents and businesses.

I hope the above is of help.

Regards

Andy Nellist BSc(Hons) MSc MBA DMS MCIHT CMILT
Project Manager
Infrastructure Programmes Group
Somerset County Council
PP B2W2 County Hall, Taunton
Somerset, TA1 4DY
01823 357341 (24 Hr Answerphone)
Email: ANellist@somerset.gov.uk

30th June 2021

THE QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE BEACONS - 2ND JUNE 2022

Due to the fact that this is likely to be the last chain of Beacons to be lit in the reign of Her Majesty The Queen, we would like to make it the largest and the most dramatic the world has ever seen, so your valuable assistance throughout Somerset in helping us achieve this would be extremely appreciated.

I would be grateful therefore if you would kindly distribute the above at your earliest convenience please, to ensure those wishing to take part have plenty of time to make their plans.

My day to day liaison at Buckingham Palace for this aspect of the Jubilee is Caroline Creer. Please feel free to call her on 0207 930 4832 should feel it necessary, or call me at any time on 07737 262 913 from 8am through to 8pm Monday through to Saturday evening.

We do hope that you will be able to assist us with the above.

My warmest regards,

28th June 2021

Neighbourhood Plan Update

Please find attached a copy of the NPWG report

NPWG Report

28th June 2021

Right of Ways Report June 21

Please find attached my ROW report for June. Unfortunately the list of outstanding issues gets longer!
Kind regards,

ROW Report

27th June 2021

St Margarets Hospice

In 2019, we managed to raise over an amazing £13,000 for our hospice, which delivers high quality, responsive and compassionate care to patients and families facing a life-limiting illness throughout Somerset.

With the postponement of our 2020 Fete, we are delighted and so excited to announce we are cautiously making plans to hold our annual Fete in 2021, proudly sponsored by Amicus Law, in line with the Government's guidance surrounding covid-19.

Guaranteed fun for all the family with a variety of stalls including a raffle, tombolas, face painting, a BBQ, a tearoom, a variety of craft stalls, and entertainment. All activities will be taking place outside around the hospice grounds, so do join us for a joyous day whilst supporting your local hospice.

The Fete will take place from 11am-4pm on Saturday 31st July 2021. There will be parking available in Aldon Fields with a minibus service to and from the hospice.
Please find a poster attached, which you hope you will be able to help circulate or display.

Thank you for your support and we cannot wait to see you there!

Kerry Baillie​
Community Partnerships Fundraiser
Tel: 01935 709480
Ext: 2496

26th June 2021

Cllr David Fothergill

Please find attached a letter from Cllr David Fothergill, the Leader of Somerset County Council, about Local Government Reform in Somerset.

Many thanks

One Somerset Programme Team
Somerset County Council

Cllr Letter

25th June 2021

Information from SOMERSET Waste

As you know, some waste collections have been disrupted in recent weeks. Our apologies if your residents have been affected; Somerset Waste Partnership is working hard with our contractor SUEZ to get things back on track.

The problems are caused primarily by a shortage of LGV drivers – a long-running national issue worsened recently by Covid-19 and other factors. Recruitment for drivers and other crew members is particularly tough in Somerset because of the many distribution companies in and around the county. There is no quick fix for recruitment, so unfortunately there will be further delays. Please bear with us.

We regret that with more than 350,000 waste collections every week, it is difficult to provide accurate, timely updates for your parish. Collection routes cross district and parish boundaries and progress can be affected by staffing levels, track and trace alerts, vehicle breakdowns and traffic. Thus, the impact in any area may well not be fully known until late in the day.

At present, by early afternoon we aim to provide district councillors with a daily weekday summary of any known issues that may affect collections. Where possible, this will include specific locations affected. The same information can be found on the SWP website (click the link on the front page banner). We also post information directly into Facebook community pages where possible. The website information will be updated if there are any significant developments, and additional postings made.

This system is not perfect, but we hope you understand that we are doing the best we can to share information quickly. We also appreciate that not everyone has online access, and anything you are able to do to pass one information would of course be much appreciated.

You will be aware that we are introducing expanded recycling collections in South Somerset, starting next week. Recycle More adds extra materials to the weekly collections and moved rubbish collections from fortnightly to every three weeks.

To prepare for this, some households in the district will get a one-off extra rubbish collection on Saturday (26 June). This is to make sure no-one has to wait too long between rubbish collections when they move to the new service.

These collections will be taking place in parts of the following locations: Yeovil, East/West Coker, Chard, Tatworth, Forton, Templecombe, Henstridge, Milborne Port, Horsington, Sparkford, South Cadbury, Queen Camel, Compton Pauncefoot, Corton Denham, Kingsbury Episcopi, East/West Lambrook, Barrington, Hambridge, Ash, Long Load, Martock, Stembridge, South Petherton, Over Stratton, Lopen, Ilminster, Seavingtons, Shepton Beauchamp, Crewkerne, Merriott, Hinton St George, Higher/Lower Odcombe, Wincanton, Holton, North/South Cheriton, Maperton, Cucklington, Langport, Curry Rivel, Fivehead.
If you are due one, it will be marked clearly in the collection calendar in your “Recycle More is coming soon” leaflet and you should put your rubbish out for collection tomorrow.

Overall, collections have been more reliable this week, but we are still not where we want to be and are continuing to push for improvements. Crews will return as soon as possible for any collections missed this week, within two days if they can.

This has been an extremely demanding year for crews, who have worked long hours throughout the pandemic collecting heavier loads.

To help ease the pressure, we would ask that residents please:
· Go online to use the My Waste Services menu on our homepage to order containers, request an assisted collection, report a missed collection and more. (we have attached a flyer that you are welcome to share - digitally or in hard copy - which reminds people of what SWP-related tasks can be done online).
· Make use of recycling sites if a collection is delayed but waste really needs to go.
· If it is safe, crush, squash and flatten waste to save space and speed up collections.

We apologise again for the disruption and ask for your patience.

SWP

Mark Ford
Head of Communications and Engagement
Somerset Waste Partnership
Broughton House
Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton, TA1 2PR
Telephone 01823 625710
Mobile: 07977412198
Email Mark.Ford@somersetwaste.gov.uk

25th June 2021

Recycle More

Please find attached the fourth edition of the Recycle More Messenger, the regular briefings keeping you up to date with the roll-out of Recycle More.

The expanded collections launch next week, with the first collections on Monday 28 June and Bright Blue Bags still being delivered.

This Saturday (26 June) several thousand households are scheduled to have an extra rubbish collection – if you are included, this is made clear in the calendars provided and you should present your rubbish this Saturday before 7am.

We hope you find this update useful in keeping your communities and colleagues informed.

If for any reason you do not wish to be sent these updates, please email recycle@somersetwaste.gov.uk and put Opt Out – RM briefings in the subject line.

Best wishes,

Somerset Waste Partnership

24th June 2021

Covid Update

Please find attached this week’s Covid-19 update for Somerset on behalf of the Engagement Board.
Somerset remains in a relatively good position compared with many local authorities across the country, but our cases have doubled again this week and we urge everyone to continue to follow all guidance, particularly as the Delta variant is proving to be so much more easily transmitted.

Our NHS colleagues have organised a series of walk-in vaccination clinics and you can read more about that on page 6 of the update. We are promoting these clinics on our social media and we’re also reminding everyone that a single dose will not give the maximum protection against the virus – the best protection comes after the second dose. So please do take advantage of these clinics if you’ve not had your first or second dose yet!

With very best wishes

Emma

Emma McKee
Communications Officer
Public Health
Somerset County Council
County Hall, Taunton
Somerset, TA1 4DY

covid 19 update

24th June 2021

Universal Credit Information for the Community

WikiJob is the best place to prepare for your interview, assessment centre or aptitude test. People can read expert advice and speak to other candidates.

Should you require any more information then please contact Mary Williams at clerk@parishcouncils.uk

Wiki Jobs

16th June 2021

Wessex Internet

Hello, I hope you are well.

Just to let you know that our coverage checker is now live and I am writing to all parish councils in our coverage area so that you can inform people who live locally that they can now check to see if their property or business is eligible for a free full fibre installation.

As of today, you can find our coverage checker on our website. You will be able to enter your property details to see if you are included in our latest programme to bring full fibre broadband to rural parts of South Somerset. This is part of our Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) contract that we were awarded at the end of last year.

Last month, we “broke ground” in the Woolston area which marked the start of work on this 3 year public funded programme which is due for completion in 2024. Over this time, we will connect ultrafast broadband to thousands of homes and businesses on an area by area approach. The new map on our website has details of each of these areas, along with key dates.

You can find all of this on our website, where you can also register your interest. Once you have done this, there is nothing else you need to do right now – we will be in touch.

https://www.wessexinternet.com/connecting-devon-and-somerset/

We always work closely with local communities, so if you are interested in becoming a representative or a community champion in your particular area then please let me know.

We hope that the FAQs on the website are helpful, but if you do have a specific question please let me know and I will be more than happy to help.



Christine O’Grady
Community Engagement Manager

T: 07956 333782 | E: christine.o’grady@wessexinternet.com
wessexinternet.com

Coverage Checker

8th June 2021

St Margarets Hospice

I hope that you are well and keeping safe.

St Margaret's Hospice Care have recently launched two very exciting campaigns; Glorious Somerset Gardens and The Great Somerset G&T Party, which we hope will bring much joy to people's lives after what has been a very difficult time and raise much needed funds for our hospice.

Glorious Somerset Gardens 2021 – More than a dozen stunning gardens are opening to visitors this summer in aid of our hospice. The campaign will begin from 17th May until the end of July, where we will also be showing off our very own beautiful Yeovil garden to members of the public on 25th July. Our green-fingered supporters have taken lockdown in their stride and have spent months preparing their gardens and ensuring they are Covid secure for the summer. Full details of locations, opening dates and admission prices can be found here: https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/glorious-gardens. Be sure to show your support and visit the gardens this summer – you won't be disappointed!

Great Somerset G&T Party – We are inviting people across Somerset to host their very own Great Somerset G&T Party to support our patients and their families. Whether you're a gin-lover or tee-total you can host a party with friends, families, colleagues or neighbours in the comfort of your garden or host a virtual party to allow more people to attend – but please remember follow the Government guidance at all times and please drink responsibly. And the great thing is, you can hold your party whenever is convenient for you. Visit our website https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/great-gt-party for more details and to request a FREE fundraising pack.

We hope you will be able to enjoy our above campaigns and offer your support. I have attached some posters promoting our campaigns, which I hope you would be kind enough to display or share. Your help is invaluable to us and could help go towards the care and support of our patients and their families.

If you have any questions regarding the above, please do get in touch with me at any time. Thank you so much for your support.

Best wishes,

Kerry

Kerry Baillie​
Community Partnerships Fundraiser
Tel: 01935 709480
Ext: 2496

8th June 2021

Recycle More

Please find attached the Recycle More Messenger, the regular briefings keeping you up to date with the roll-out of Recycle More. With less than a month to go before the launch of the expanded collections in South Somerset, important information is due to be delivered to households across district shortly.

The leaflets contain a collection day calendar and a ‘what goes where’ guide for sorting your recycling. We want to encourage residents to hold on to these leaflets so they can refer to them in the coming weeks and months.

We hope you find this update useful in keeping your communities and colleagues informed.

If for any reason you do not wish to be sent these updates, please email recycle@somersetwaste.gov.uk and put Opt Out – RM briefings (phase 2) in the subject line.

Best wishes,

Somerset Waste Partnership

8th June 2021

Galhampton Excalibur

Please find attached this months edition of the Galhampton Excalibur.

Galhampton Excalibur

18th May 2021

EV Charging infrastructure roll out locations

We hope this email find you well. We wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the much needed EV charging Network that SSDC, in partnership with the DELETTI Devon EV Charging Network project, is in its finalisation for installing from this summer at the previously chosen car parks listed below. The winning tenderer was Scottish Power who are working on the locations of the EV charging parking bays within these carparks.

Scottish Power will be installing one dual charger each of 22kW supply to be able to charge 2 EVs at the same time.
Scottish Power will be supplying the power from their own renewable energy supplies mainly wind farms.

We wanted to remind you of the locations for the EV charging installations which will be phased across the SSDC owned and operated car parks starting this summer and being completed by the end of the year.

SSDC Car parks for DELETTI EV Charging Infrastructure:
Orchard Lane (South Street -MARKED BAYS ONLY) , Crewkerne
Millers Garage, Crewkerne
Millbrook Gardens, Castle Cary
Moorlands, Martock
Orchard Vale, Ilminster
Prigg Lane, South Petherton
Ham Hill Road, Stoke Sub Hamdon
Petters Way Car Park (Outside Petters House), Yeovil
Petters Way Car Park (Octogan end of car park), Yeovil
South Street Market Car Park, Yeovil
Huish Car Park, Yeovil
Stars Lane, Yeovil
(Goldenstones) Ninesprings Café, Yeovil Country Park
Yeovil Recreation Ground
Westland's Entertainment/Leisure Complex, Yeovil
South Somerset Council Offices Brympton Way
Tolbury Mill Bruton
Market Field Fores Street, Chard
Bath Street, Chard
Essex Close carpark, Chard
West Street, Crewkerne
Court Ash, Yeovil
Goldcroft, Yeovil
Fairfield, Yeovil
West Hendford, Yeovil
Chard Reservoir
Yeovil Innovation Centre

This will be the start of the future expansion of EV charging infrastructure for the community meeting our Environment Strategy.

You may also be interested in the e-car and e- bike share survey investigating community interest in a shared EV scheme across the district too. This is soon to close so please submit your response and share with your communities by the 21st of May. https://bit.ly/SSomerset

Many thanks.

Best eco well wishes,
Cara

Cara Naden
Environment Case Officer
Service Delivery
South Somerset District Council

+441935462615

southsomerset.gov.uk @southsomersetDC

11th May 2021

Universal Credit Information for the Community

Due to the impact of Coronavirus over 5.5 million people are claiming Universal Credit. Many of them are new to claiming Universal Credit having been negatively impacted by Coronavirus.

Best Regards,

Mary Williams

Universal Credit Guide

11th May 2021

Mental Health and Wellbeing in Farming

Dear All,

Please find attached details of our next Mental Health and Wellbeing webinar being held on Tuesday 23rd February 2021 at 6pm.

We have another great line up of speakers from CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably, Gay Farmer Helpline, an Accredited CBT Therapist, Market Chaplin, FCN-Farming Community Network and a very brave young lady from Kingsbridge Young Farmers.
To register for the event please following the link below:
www.mhwinfarming2.eventbrite.co.uk
If you register for the event but are unable to make it on the night we will still forward you a recording of the event.

Please circulate to any contacts or groups who may find it useful.

Many thanks

Nikki Rattenbury
Trading Standards Officer
Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service
A Joint Service Commissioned by Devon, Somerset and Torbay Councils

01392 383000
01392 382159 (Fax)

Trading Standards, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD

www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk

For clear practical Consumer Advice - call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506

For Business Advice - call 01392 381381 from Devon, 0300 123 2224 from Somerset or 01803 208025 from Torbay

For Approved Local Traders, to recommend a business for the scheme, or to apply to join Buy with Confidence visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

Email Disclaimer - https://www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/privacy-notice/

19th January 2021

Step Up Somerset

Dear colleague
Step Up Somerset is a multi-agency one-stop-shop launched to provide support for those individuals who are job hunting, seeking training in new industries or working to strengthen their skills by providing details of employment and skills services and resources. For anyone without internet access, further one-to-one help can also be provided by phoning the Coronavirus Helpline on 0300 790 6275.

Best wishes

Debbie Rundle
Communications Officer
Somerset County Council
County Hall
Taunton
Somerset TA1 4DY
01823 356197
drundle@somerset.gov.uk

10th November 2020

Local Government Association Model Member Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

21st June 2020