United for Residents: Budget Agreed, Now Let’s Collaborate
Somerset Council says it is shifting from financial emergency to recovery after councillors approved a balanced 2026/27 budget. Lib Dem leader of the council, Cllr Bill Revans, told Full Council that independent reports show the authority has “grasped the challenges” and is on the right track after difficult decisions that have protected frontline services and…
Read More174 bus “new” timetable adjusted (again) after student bus user raises concern
A young 174 bus user raised concerns with their parent about the 174 Shepton to Wells timetable changes — the parent then contacted me to report the plan would see students arriving in Wells a full hour before school and 20 minutes before the gates open. I raised the issue with Somerset Council, who negotiated…
Read MoreSomerset Council — Mendip South Division: Three‑Month Road Safety Defect Summary
This report summarises the number of safety defects completed by Somerset Highways in the Mendip South division during the previous three months, grouped by defect type and location. For reference, road codes beginning with T or U denote Unclassified roads. Please help us keep our roads safe by reporting any defects you find. Report online…
Read MoreMonthly 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…
Read MoreNHS Somerset reports back on West Mendip and Frome bed reductions and proposes 50% cuts at Crewkerne and Burnham — I remain unconvinced by the findings.
At the Adults & Health Scrutiny Committee on 26 February 2026 I challenged NHS Somerset’s 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 critical gaps in data and information…
Read MoreOur voice has been heard — First Bus U‑turns on Bus Cuts to the 174
I want to thank everyone who signed the petition and those who came to our 174 bus protest on Saturday Feb 14th. 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…
Read MoreNo notice, no way home: Has First Bus’s withdrawal of the 174 early‑evening service put jobs, childcare and community safety at risk?
First Bus’s decision to withdraw the 174 Wells–Bath service after 5pm, with almost no notice, will sever vital travel links for residents of Wells, Croscombe, Shepton Mallet, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and other communities on the route, and will have immediate, serious consequences for workers, families, young people and vulnerable people across the region. The route…
Read MoreMy Monthly Cllr update: Storm Chandra response, New Somerset eco‑homes first in a generation, consultations & road ratings
This month’s Lib Dem‑run Somerset Council update hails the opening of 54 zero‑carbon council homes in Somerset, let to local people — the first council homes in West Somerset for a generation. It also explains why we declared a major incident after Storm Chandra, when intense rainfall on already saturated ground caused rapid river and…
Read MoreStorm Chandra: Warning for heavy rain — what Somerset residents need to know
OverviewThe Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning for the south of Somerset and Yellow warnings for the rest of the county ahead of Storm Chandra. Widespread heavy rain is expected later today/tonight and into Tuesday morning. Wind impacts are not expected to be as severe as Storm Goretti, but significant rainfall on already…
Read MoreCommunities United: How Somerset Is Fighting Floods Together
Today I spoke with GWS Local Community Radio about the remarkable community-led efforts underway to prevent floods and strengthen local preparedness. Local groups, parish councils and Somerset Council are coming together to plan, share resources and act when river levels rise. A key facilitator is the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) — a unique, county-wide partnership…
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