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Postman Keith

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Our regular Timberscombe postman, Keith, will be leaving us on 6th January 2024 after many , many years of service to the village. If you would like to donate towards a leaving present there will be a collection pot and card, for people to sign, in the post office next week.

Police survey

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

PCC Mark Shelford has launched a survey asking if local people support his proposal to increase the precept – the policing part of the council tax – by at least £10 a year for the average band D household.

The PCC is responsible for setting the amount of money residents contribute to local policing through the precept. The Government determines the maximum amount by which PCCs can increase the precept each year.

Our current financial planning assumes the precept will be increased by £10 next year. Even with this assumed increase savings still need to be made. The size of the savings needed will likely result in about 250 staff roles being cut across the next few years. These cuts will have an impact on front line services such as visible policing and the ability to investigate crime.

We know that, with cost-of-living crisis continuing, this is a big ask from residents. Therefore, we want to hear what local people think about this via our survey and we are asking for your support to share the survey amongst your contacts, colleagues, and channels.

The survey and information about the precept can be found here: https://www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk/working-for-you/precept/ 

The survey closes on 22 January.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Kind regards,

Lisa Benjamin
Senior Communications Manager
Mob: 07795044482

Make a meal of your Christmas planning

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Plan ahead to save waste and save money – that is the message from Somerset Council as the festive food shopping starts in earnest. Christmas sees Somerset’s food waste rise by as much as 11% – with an additional 238 tonnes thrown out in January 2022.

Somerset Council says that by planning Christmas meals residents can save money and help to protect the environment. Simple steps can help prevent extra waste:

· Take stock of what you’ve got in the cupboards and the freezer before you head to the shops.

· Avoid the temptation to buy too much ‘just in case’. Most shops are open for much of holiday.

· Plan your meals and buy only what you need.

· If you like to have a little bit extra at the table, plan this into your meals following the ‘big day’.

· Batch cook extra meals and store in the freezer, especially useful if guests stay longer than planned.

· Head to Love food Hate Waste for more ideas and or search their recipes by food type to use up anything in particular you may have.

· Make the most of your leftovers by being creative in the kitchen and having store cupboard staples like rice and pasta on hand to turn leftovers into meals.

Love Food Hate Waste estimates over 100,000 tonnes of edible poultry, 96,000 tonnes of carrots and 710,000 tonnes of potatoes are thrown away each year in the UK.

Food waste should be wrapped in newspaper or line your caddy with a compostable liner (with the ‘looped seedling’ logo on them). In Somerset, recycled food waste is taken to an anaerobic digestor near Bridgwater and used to make green energy and soil improver for local farms.

Solid fats can go in your food waste bin, but liquid oils should be recycled at any recycling site.

For more information, please contact the Press Office on 01823 355020 or email pressoffice@somerset.gov.uk.