Monthly Somerset News from Cllr Claire Sully: Serving Mendip South & Somerset (March 1st)
Plan in place to smarten Somerset’s roads, pavements and cycleways
Somerset Council to spend up to £5m over 3 years to smarten roads, pavements and cycleways — more drain and gully clearance, improved signs and road markings, litter collection and vegetation clearance near walking/cycling routes.
Current road maintenance programmes focus on safety critical works which can mean lower priority issues like faded road markings, broken signs and overgrown hedges have been left.
Improvements will also be made to the council’s public reporting system, to make it even easier for residents to highlight any issues on the roads.
Cllr Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset Council, said: “we know the public want us to do much more than simply keep our roads safe, and we want to see improvements across our council area.
We will continue to prioritise pothole repairs and are working hard to clear the backlog caused by the many weeks of wet weather and flooding we have experienced this winter. We plan to allocate additional funds to tackle the backlog of potholes if we need to.”
Since January the council has received 16,332 defect reports (4,417 in the same period last year). As of 20 Feb, 35 teams have fixed 4,577 potholes. Repairs are prioritised by severity and will be completed within 2 hours, 24 hours, 7 days or 28 days depending on the category.
Somerset reduced its projected funding gap from £101m (Mar 2025) to £25m (Feb 2026).
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has approved in principle £30m of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS): £25m to close the remaining budget gap and £5m for service transformation. Somerset reduced its projected funding gap from £101m (Mar 2025) to £25m (Feb 2026).
The EFS will be delivered via a Capitalisation Direction, allowing day‑to‑day costs to be spread over time through borrowing or asset sales. An external assurance review is a mandatory condition of EFS to provide independent scrutiny of the council’s finances and governance.
The Executive approved a recommended 4.99% Council Tax rise on 25 Feb; final budget decisions are due at Full Council on 4 Mar.
Inspiring Innovation investments of £15.3m are projected to deliver £20.6m of immediate savings, with further opportunities estimated to save a total of £31m–£57m by 2030/31.
Vital drainage work (continuation) on A361 at Pilton (9–13 March)
Kier will carry out essential drainage repairs on the A361 at Pilton from 9–13 March. Weekday closures 9:30am–3:30pm; outside these times two‑way manually controlled traffic signals will operate. Advance signs will show closure times and location.
Report road problems via the Council’s Report a problem on the road page. Follow @TravelSomerset on Facebook and X for live updates.
‘Bus service battlers’ voice is heard’
[article from Wells Journal, Feb 26th, 2026]
CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after First Bus reversed its decision to withdraw the 174 Wellsbath service after 5pm. Liberal Democrat councillor Claire Sully, who represents the Mendip South ward, had warned that the decision would sever vital travel links for residents of Wells, Croscombe, Shepton Mallet, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and other communities on the route.
She added it would have immediate, serious consequences for workers, families, young people and vulnerable people across the region.
In response to the move, she said: “The route is relied upon by commuters, shift workers, parents, schoolchildren and older residents. First Bus gave minimal notice of the change, leaving the community with little time to plan alternatives. That lack of warning is unacceptable – this sudden decision will disrupt lives, force urgent childcare and travel decisions and create immediate hardship for many households.”
A community campaign was organised and two rallies planned for Saturday, February 14, at Wells bus station and Shepton Cenotaph.
And Councillor Sully posted last week: “Our voice has been heard – working together with bus users, Somerset Bus Partnership, Somerset Council and our MPS: Anna Sabine MP and Tessa Munt MP.
“Following discussions with Somerset Council, First Bus have U-turned and will reinstate services on the 174 after 17:03.
“First Bus proposes to restore two journeys – 18:13 through to Bath and 19:02 terminating at Midsomer Norton with a connection onto service 172 for onward travel to Bath – though there may be slight timetable tweaks when the full schedule is finalised.
“Going forward we must use our buses as much as possible, but also hold bus companies to account to ensure services remain consistent, reliable and properly consulted on before any changes etc.”
“I hope that our MPs will continue the conversation at a national level, in Parliament, so bus companies cannot cut services without proper impact assessments and meaningful consultation with bus users and bus user groups.
NHS Somerset reports back on West Mendip and Frome bed reductions and proposes 50% cuts at Crewkerne and Burnham
At the Adults & Health Scrutiny Committee on 26 February 2026 NHS Somerset’s reported on their initial 12‑week evaluation of the test‑and‑learn in West Mendip and Frome Community Hospitals.
While shifting care into neighbourhood settings and expanding home reablement (a Somerset Council priority) has merit, the report’s headline findings leave gaps in evaluation data and information. NHS Somerset now proposes to expand the “test and learn” to Crewkerne and Burnham‑on‑Sea, halving inpatient beds at each site (from 16 to 8) for a 12‑month period.
Key concerns:
– Missing locality and patient‑flow data: are patients genuinely cared for closer to home or being concentrated at other sites?
– Unclear system‑wide impact: is pressure simply shifting to Musgrove Park, RUH or other acute trusts?
– Opaque survey methodology: headline figures (e.g. 100% confidence, 96% meeting goals) require sample sizes, response rates, selection method, demographics and timing. Committee comment referenced a 5% response — 5% of what?
– Absent safety and mortality data: need all‑cause and cause‑specific mortality, 30‑ and 90‑day post‑discharge rates, breakdown by reablement‑at‑home vs bed‑based care, sample sizes, statistical testing and summaries of any mortality reviews.
– Care‑home commissioning and capacity: clarity required on spot‑purchase impact, pathways and contingency if care‑home demand rises.
NHS Somerset “test and learn” evaluation report, as part of the Somerset Council Scrutiny Committee Report Pack can be found here.
SEND reform proposals ‘encouraging’ but urgent, sustained reform needed says Council Leader
The government’s SEND reform proposals (12‑week consultation) set out a shift towards supporting more pupils in mainstream schools, rebalancing the EHCP system, strengthening prevention and early intervention, and reworking funding and tribunal arrangements. Somerset Council welcomes the direction but warns major challenges remain — rising independent placement costs, SEND transport pressures in rural areas, and the need for sufficient, fairly distributed funding during the transition.
Key points
– More support in mainstream: Somerset plans 250+ new SEN unit places over 3 years to teach more children closer to home.
– EHCP rebalancing: aim to reserve EHCPs for those most in need and reduce costly plan maintenance. Somerset currently has 1,000+ EHCPs awaiting completion; demand up 47% in five years.
– Tribunals and funding: proposals seek to rebalance tribunal powers and funding responsibilities; councils remain concerned about historic cost pressures.
– Private placement costs: independent special school spending is rising (budget £35m vs forecast £42m); some providers show high profit margins.
– Prevention and early intervention: increased support proposed from early years onward.
– SEND transport: ongoing cost pressures for rural areas like Somerset (projected spend c. £15m this year).
– Council role: schools to carry more per‑pupil costs, while councils continue to commission specialist services and curate local offers.
– Timescales and funding: proposals include staged change; Somerset stresses the announced investment must be sufficient and fairly allocated, and calls for financial bridging support during transition.
Cllr Bill Revans said: “The direction of travel set out today is encouraging. However it’s vital that the next 12 weeks are not a talking shop. We cannot keep ploughing on with the same system that patently isn’t working. We must now analyse the detail and grasp this opportunity for root‑and‑branch reform.”
Lib Dem road safety campaign succeeds: Lower speed limit proposed for Frome bypass
Somerset Council is consulting on a 50mph limit and engineering works for the A361 Frome bypass, where five people have died in fatal collisions over the past five years. The proposal (down from 60mph) complements AI camera enforcement and planned resurfacing at the junction (7–20 May, subject to objections and closures). The bypass carries about 15,000 vehicles a day.
Anna Sabine MP and local councillors have led calls for action to improve safety. An advertising period and consultation will follow before any changes are implemented.
Somerset shortlisted for two LGC Awards
Somerset Council has been shortlisted for two 2026 Local Government Chronicle Awards: Campaign of the Year for the ‘Our Story’ fostering recruitment campaign, and the Diversity & Inclusion Award for ‘Imagine the Possibilities’, which supports young people with SEND into paid work.
The nominations recognise work to recruit and support foster carers and to expand Supported Internships (now 15 placements, supporting 100+ young people annually). Winners announced in June.
Cllr Heather Shearer said: “These nominations reflect the real‑world impact of services helping vulnerable children and enabling young people with SEND to move into paid employment.”
In 2026, more than 1,000 entries were submitted from councils across the country, making shortlisting a significant achievement.
Planning approved for £15m Octagon Theatre transformation
Planning permission granted for a £15m refurbishment of Yeovil’s 50‑year‑old Octagon Theatre to secure its structure and deliver major front‑of‑house, backstage and accessibility upgrades. Works will improve the auditorium and rehearsal space, renew plant and infrastructure, add accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility, upgrade technical stage systems (including fly and backstage crossover), and introduce energy‑efficiency measures.
Funding comprises £10m from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, £3.75m from Yeovil Town Council (loan and reserves) and just over £1.25m from ticket levy income, fundraising and Section 106 contributions via Somerset Council. The tender process can now proceed and work is expected to start in the 2026/27 financial year.
World Book Day Costume Swap launches in Somerset libraries
Families can donate and swap pre‑loved World Book Day costumes at participating libraries from half term ahead of World Book Day on 5 March. Donate a clean, good‑quality costume, browse the costume rail and take an outfit free of charge — no donation required.
“This Costume Swap makes a big difference — helping parents save money, reducing waste and bringing more people into our welcoming library spaces.” — Cllr Federica Smith‑Roberts
Participating libraries: Chard, Glastonbury, Ilminster, Langport, Minehead, Porlock, Shepton Mallet, Street, Watchet, Williton, Yeovil, Taunton and Burnham‑on‑Sea. For details visit your local branch, follow @SomersetLibrariesUK or email librariesmail@somerset.gov.uk.
Taunton Library marks 30 years on Paul Street
Taunton Library celebrated 30 years on Paul Street with staff, residents and partners joining events including a children’s Lego competition, an exhibition of memorabilia, and coffee and cake from the Friends of Taunton Library. The library continues to serve as a modern community hub offering free Wi‑Fi, public computers, wellbeing services, a café run by Young Somerset, the Somerset Independent Living Centre, and a full programme of activities and events.
Report it first: useful Links to share with your communities
Visit – Report a Problem on the Road: – A list of all reporting pages to do with roads, pavements, lighting:
Potholes and road damage – Somerset Council repair potholes and other road defects, and maintain our roads, for the safe access of all road users:
Potholes, road damage and edge loss
Report a problem with a street light – We maintain and repair street lights to national standards to provide safe access to all road users:
Report a problem with a street light
Roads, travel and parking, road signs, markings and lighting – Includes information about non-illuminated bollards, pedestrian crossings, requesting a village nameplate or a new road sign:
Road signs, bollards and road markings
Speed limits – Request information about new or existing traffic calming measures:
Speed limits
Traffic lights –We maintain over 200 traffic light locations throughout the County:
Traffic lights
Street and roadworks – We maintain the roads and pavements that are managed at public expense in Somerset:
Street and roadworks problems
Traffic – updates and roadworks follow:
Travel Somerset on X andTravel Somerset on Facebook.
All ongoing roadworks – available on the Somerset Council website interactive map
Roadworks and travel information
Somerset Waste – collection days, replacement bins or recycling bags and missed collection reporting:
Travel and Tourist Information
Travel Somerset – Art, Culture, Events, History & More
Sign-up for the latest climate news from across Somerset:
Open Somerset Council Consultations – which anyone can complete and take part in shaping the future of Somerset
Somerset Council – Citizen Space – Consultations
SOMERSET COUNCIL TELEPHONE NO – 0300 123 2224