Somerset County Council

CON HOLD
Party	Seats 2013	Seats 2017	Change
PartyConservative	Seats 201329	Seats 201735	Change+6
PartyLiberal Democrat	Seats 201318	Seats 201712	Change−6
PartyLabour	Seats 20133	Seats 20173	Change-
PartyIndependent	Seats 20132	Seats 20173	Change+1
PartyGreen	Seats 20130	Seats 20172	Change+2
PartyUKIP	Seats 20133	Seats 2017-	Change−3
Change compared with 2013

Posted at 11:32 11 Oct

Toxic substance found at school delays expansion

The academy said coal tar was found, and a council spokesman confirmed there was no risk of harm.

Posted at 17:06 21 Sep

Adult learning disabilities tribunal settled

Unison brought the case against Somerset County Council after it outsourced the service.

Posted at 11:19 19 Sep

Planned fire service cuts 'ridiculous'

Somerset County Council criticises Devon and Somerset Fire Service's cuts proposals.

Posted at 10:04 15 Aug

Traffic light battery theft delay roadworks

Roadworks on the outskirts of Bridgwater have been delayed because thieves have stolen the batteries powering the temporary traffic lights, twice.

Somerset County Council says its contractor has reported the thefts, which happened on Taunton Road last Friday and on Monday, to the police.

Posted at 14:24 18 Jul

County's adult services boss quits job

Stephen Chandler has worked as director of the team since January 2016.

Posted at 17:03 11 Jul

Waste disposed using a van to be easier in Somerset

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Getting rid of rubbish using a van or trailer is set to become easier in Somerset following changes to the permit system in operation.

Somerset Waste Partnership introduced permits for van and trailer users in 2016 in a bid to cut congestion at its recycling centres, caused in part by visitors from outside of the county.

The original permits were valid for three years and could be applied for by any van or trailer owner free of charge.

The partnership has now announced the permits system will be changing – with no expiry date on any new permits being issued, and existing permits remaining valid even after they expire.

Posted at 17:13 5 Jul

Retirement home builders have 'interest' in Somerset flats

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Retirement property specialist McCarthy and Stone has “acquired an interest” in a block of flats in Canford Cliffs.

The Bournemouth-based firm has written to people living close to the Carisbrooke building ahead of a meeting it is holding on July 11.

It said it was in the “very early stages” of drawing up plans for assisted living apartments on the site.

Carisbrooke in Canford Cliffs Road is made up of 17 flats and was built in the 1960s.

At the end of June McCarthy and Stone wrote to people living in the area inviting them to a “workshop event” next week.

Its regional managing director Shane Paull said a public exhibition would be held once these had been produced.

“We are at the very early stages of exploring options to redevelop this site with much-needed extra care accommodation,” he said.

“In the first instance we are looking forward to engaging with close neighbours to the site to understand their views and receive feedback which will be considered as we develop our plans further.”

In a statement the firm said the development would have a bistro restaurant for its residents along with communal leisure spaces. It said it hoped to submit a planning application in the autumn.

Posted at 18:26 3 Jul