Author: Lesley Webb

SWT Council Business Bulletins

Benefice Newsletter 18th March 2022

Timberscombe School Friday News 18.03.22

Somerset Covid-19 Updates

Government confirms new ‘unitary’ Somerset Council

Following consideration by both Houses of Parliament, the Secretary of State has made the Somerset Structural Changes Order 2022 which paves the way for the new Somerset Council to be established on 1 April 2023.

The Order comes into force on 16 March 2022 and gives approval to the local elections on 5 May 2022 for 110 councillors to the County Council and to the elections for city, town and parish councils across Somerset.

Following the approval of the Structural Changes Order, the notice of elections will be published on Monday 21 March and nomination papers for prospective candidates will need to be submitted by 5 April.

Notice of Parish Elections If you would like to know more about becoming a Parish Councillor or would like an application form, please contact the Parish Clerk at timberscombepcclerk@gmail.com

Notice of County Elections

Reminder – Set up Council Tax direct debit to receive energy rebate quickly

SWT is urging bill-payers to set up a direct debit to pay their council tax, to ensure they get their £150 energy rebate payment as quickly as possible.
To set up a council tax direct debit please call SWT on 0300 304 8000. For new direct debits the Government require SWT to have successfully collected a first payment of council tax by direct debit before the energy rebate can be paid.

Please click here to read the full press release.

Police Notice

A garden shed has been broken into overnight on the 16th sometime after 10pm in Doverhay, Porlock. The offenders gained access via a side gate to the property and onwards to the shed. Once inside a Motocross Bike described as a Yamaha YZF250 2020 model in Blue & Black was stolen together with a bicycle. The bicycle was later discovered on the road by Ley Hill.

Any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5222063625 stating

Looking to experience something new this April! Then the Regal is the place to be….

We start off April with System Crasher 5^th April Dir Nora Fingscheidt – Germany
A compelling, multi award-winning drama about a troubled nine-year-old, unofficially called a ‘system crasher’ by social services because they are unable to cope, and her wild quest for love. Subtitled

We are pleased to bring a live performance of LA TRAVIATA from the Royal Opera House on 13^th April. Richard Eyre’s production for The Royal Opera recently celebrated 25 years on the Royal Opera House stage and this year returns with acclaimed opera star Pretty Yende as Violetta. Sung in Italian with English subtitles.

Panto returns to the Regal stage “Oh Yes It does” on 16th April and runs until 23rd April 2022 once again with the family fun filled product of Aladdin. Come and joining us on this magical carpet ride. Written by Alan P Frayn, performed by a host of local talent. Please note the various start times on our website.

Five Star Swing – Greatest Songs from The Movies 28^th April. From Pinewood to Hollywood! Join us for an unforgettable mix of themes and songs from the greatest movies of all time – Star Wars, James Bond, Lawrence of Arabia…  Performed by multi-Instrumental/vocalists Five Star Swing.

Fundraising Event

Come and join us on 30^th April for a special Fundraising Event organised by the Regal Theatre and Minehead Literary Festival to raise funds for the theatre’s post-covid recovery. Entitled Maverick Men and Criminal Deeds, which sees broadcaster and writer Joan Bakewell, novelist and biographer Margaret Drabble talking to John Preston about his books “A Very English Scandal,” biography of “Robert Maxwell Fall: The Mystery of Robert Maxwell” as well as his three-part drama series Stonehouse for ITV. An evening that is not to be missed.

Tickets for all events may be booked in advance online at https://regaltheatre.co.uk/whatson 

or from the Box Office (Tel 01643 706430) between 9.30am and 12.00pm Monday – Saturday; or by telephone only from 1.30pm to 4pm. 

Some Covid restrictions are in place to ensure audiences and volunteers are protected. Everyone is asked to use the hand sanitiser provided and wear a face covering at all times, except when eating or drinking.

PS – The Regal Theatre is run entirely by volunteers – why not join us??

SWT Council Business Bulletins

Benefice Newsletter 11th March

Waste update including new summer opening times

Somerset Covid-19 Updates including Jab walk in centres

New Council for Somerset

On 1April 2023, Somerset will become a unitary authority, replacing the current County Council and four District Councils with a single council governing the whole area. Find out more here.

Somerset Household Support Fund

£3.8m to help support Somerset households with food and bills this winter

SCC has been allocated £3.8m from the Government’s Household Support Fund which will be used to ensure there is a wide range of support available to those who need it between now and the end of March 2022.

The Somerset Household Support Fund is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and administered by Somerset County Council. The fund is designed to provide short-term financial support to vulnerable households which are struggling to afford household essentials this winter.

These households will need help with the cost of food, energy, water bills and other essentials. The fund is being distributed by the Citizens Advice organisations in Somerset which are assisting Somerset County Council

Please click here to read the full press release.

To find out more about how to apply and check eligibility criteria, please click here.

Avon and Somerset Police (ASP)

Phone users urged to beware of fake WhatsApp message scam

ASP are asking people to be wary and report an increasingly common scam where fraudsters use WhatsApp to dupe victims into transferring money by pretending to be their child.

Typically, the fraudster will send a message from a mobile phone number that the victim doesn’t recognise and begin a conversation by saying something non-specific, such as ‘Hi Mum’ or ‘Hi Dad’. They then go on to claim they have lost their phone, or it has been damaged and are now using a different number.

The victim, concerned for their child’s welfare, often responds by asking if the person at the other end is really their son or daughter and inadvertently tells the fraudster what their child’s name is, who in turn texts back to confirm that it is them.

The fraudster will then claim there is a time-critical emergency and that they need funds – such as they have a problem with their bank account and urgently need to pay a bill – so they ask the victim to transfer money to a different account to the one they would normally use.

In the first two months of this year more than 75 people in Avon and Somerset reported financial losses totalling more than £80,000 through this scam to Action Fraud, but it is likely that the true cost is much higher.

Please click here to read the full press release.

Healthwatch Somerset are looking at what people in West Somerset think about NHS same day urgent care (e.g. GP, minor injuries unit, 999, 111, pharmacy, emergency dentists or opticians). How do you find out about and use urgent health care services currently, and how should urgent care be provided across West Somerset in the future? Share your views at https://bit.ly/3hBPkpt

You can read more about our project here Same Day Urgent Care – Healthwatch Somerset.