Posts by Cllr Claire Sully
Waste Collection Strike Important Update
Unite union members working on Somerset waste collections still plan to take industrial action starting from Wednesday 12 July. Further talks between the parties are scheduled for tomorrow morning (11 July). We hope that Unite would put a revised offer to a ballot and suspend strike action pending its outcome. In the event of strike…
Read MoreStroke services in Somerset, what you need to know.
Stroke Services in Somerset are set to change. This could include closing the Stroke Acute Care Unit in Yeovil. A consultation has been running by NHS Somerset on a couple of proposals. That consultation is now closed. One of the proposals is to close Yeovil Hospital Acute Stroke Care Unit and expand the unit in…
Read MoreBBC shine a light on home office visa “unnecessary distress” on critically ill Somerset woman.
Following my last blog update on the difficulties being faced by one family from Evercreech, because of heartless Home Office visa rules, the BBC is now covering their story, online and on radio, with TV coverage possible as well. I was interviewed by the BBC for the radio report and by BBC Online. This latest…
Read MoreServing Locals at Sunny Alhampton’s Open Gardens
The sun was out for Alhampton’s Open Gardens (May 21st) with hundreds of people visiting the village to explore 8 incredible gardens, some of which have been created and tended to by leading horticulturalists. This year’s event was celebrating 10 years of Haddon Woods, which the local community conceived, developed and maintained with the Woodland…
Read MoreFinding my quiet spot – reflecting on suicide prevention
Had to find a quiet spot near my home after 3.5 hours of Suicide Alert – Every Life Matters training I helped to organise for a group of Somerset Council Councillors. In Somerset we have higher than average annual rates of suicide. One person every 90 minutes takes their life in the UK. Globally it…
Read MoreGovernment immigration harmful rules create hardship and distress to Somerset family
Just over a year ago I was elected as a Somerset Council Unitary Councillor. This was also when I met Teddy and Sos and learned of the terrible circumstances they were living in, due to cruel Government legislation around Sossa’s visa status (she is a US citizen). Since then we have taken their visa application…
Read MoreSign-up for the latest climate news
Somerset Council is asking residents to sign-up for its new climate newsletter. The new Somerset Council cross-county monthly newsletter was launched near the end of April, and you can sign-up to receive it on the new Somerset Council website. Sent on the last Friday of every month, it will be full of news, project updates,…
Read MoreTaking steps forward for Local Community Networks in Somerset.
Local Community Networks (LCNs) will be the focus for Somerset Council’s community engagement. They will be a conduit for sharing information with communities on the areas, topics, decision making that affect our daily lives. There are 18 LCNs being established across the County. LCNs will help Somerset Council understand evidence-based community priorities. They will bring…
Read MoreGovernment energy payments – for alternative household fuel, apply now!
There are currently two separate Government energy payment schemes for Somerset residents, but the deadline to apply is fast approaching. If you heat your homes with an alternative fuel, as many do in our rural communities, then you could qualify for Government financial assistance. The first scheme is for those who heat their homes with…
Read MoreHappy Easter!
Alex Wiltshire and I were elected as Lib Dem County Councillors for Mendip South on May 5th 2022. We are part of the Lib Dem lead ruling group at Somerset Council. On April 1st, Somerset Council became a Unitary Council, replacing the county and four district councils. Somerset Council, with 110 councillors, will be one…
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