News in Glastonbury

Mendip could host a Universal Basic Income trial, in a bold bid to beat poverty and inequality.

Councillors keen to see a pilot introduced believe it would tackle the inevitable impacts on employment prospects and household incomes following fall-out from the Covid pandemic and other factors such as Brexit, future automation and artificial intelligence.

A retrospective planning application has been made to Mendip District Council for the roadside cafe at the West Pennard lay-by.

The application for the portable building and timber structure covered area to be used as a roadside cafe (retrospective) on land at Stockbridge Lane to Steanbow, West Pennard, has been submitted by Brian Roper.

A major shift in current behaviours is required by Mendip communities to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

This is the frank finding of a Future Emissions Pathway report commissioned by Mendip District Council to identify the most suitable roadmap towards carbon neutrality.

Somerset's district councils have welcomed the launch of a public consultation into the plans for a change to local government in the county.

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick launched the consultation yesterday evening (February 22). The consultation period will run for eight weeks until Monday April 19.

All schools in England will reopen on March 8 as the Prime Minister unveiled his roadmap out of lockdown this afternoon (February 22).

He announced dates for reopening pubs, shops, restaurants and hairdressers as well as when sporting events can begin to take place.

Firefighters from Glastonbury were among crews from across Somerset and Devon to tackle a large farm fire near Bridgwater over the weekend.

Just before 1am yesterday (February 21), crews from Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea attended reports of a property fire in Stretcholt, near Bridgwater.

Glastonbury fire service was called out yesterday (February 19) to help a horse stuck in a ditch at Westhay.

The crew was called at around 3pm joining the special rescue vehicle from Bridgwater and the Telehandler from USAR which also attended.

Firefighters from Glastonbury helped to tackle a chimney fire in Catcott yesterday (February 18) and the incident was described as "difficult".

At around 10am yesterday, a fire engine from Somerton that was returning from the Bridgwater College fire was mobilised to reports of a chimney on fire at a property in King William Road, Catcott.

For the very first time YMCA Brunel Group, which covers the Glastonbury area, will come together with 11 other YMCAs across England to take part in a mammoth virtual Sleep Easy event on Friday March 26, with the aim of raising awareness and vital funds to help tackle the root causes of homelessness.

Stretching from YMCA Brunel Group's own community, right up to Northumberland, this year's local YMCAs have decided to harness the power of collaboration and community spirt by swapping their usual independent Sleep Easy events in favour of a united fundraising appeal.

Somerset County Council has approved its annual budget with minimal opposition – including a nearly five per cent rise in council tax.

The full council met virtually yesterday morning (February 17) to approve both its revenue and capital spending for the next 12 months.