August Bank Holiday 2023
The rain held off, well kind of, this not quite, (but nearly), sunny bank holiday! So many fetes, fun days, events in our villages this weekend. I got around to as many as I could. And I enjoyed meeting with familiar and new faces in my Mendip South division. Thank you to all the volunteers,…
Read MoreRoad safety measures at The Pecking Mill Corner
Road safety at The Pecking Mill corner has been a cause of concern for local people for a long time. I have made it one of my priority areas, since being elected in May 2022, to investigate the issues and find solutions. I have met with local residents, consulted with the police, Somerset Highways and…
Read MoreThe Future of the former Greencore factory site
I was asked why we haven’t had a decision on the planning application for 120 houses at the former Greencore Factory in Evercreech. In this video I explain why we are where we are and when a decision is likely.
Read MoreWaste Collection Update – Industrial action suspended
Updated July 18th, 2023 Strike action by Somerset waste collection crews has been called off. This follows a positive ballot response from Unite union members on an improved pay offer from SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, the Council’s collections contractor. All services should be operating as usual. Please present your recycling, refuse and garden waste…
Read MoreWaste 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…
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