Notices

Please see below the details of forthcoming public consultation events in respect of the proposed shared use cycle path

proposed to join the Parish to Otterhampton.

Road Closure, Shurton Road, 26th September to 30th September 2022

Urgent / emergency Road Closure: – ttro733503WS – WW – Shurton Road, Stogursey

Please be aware that we have received a notification of a TTRN (urgent / emergency) road closure at Shurton Road, Stogursey will commence on 26th September 2022 and is expected to last until 30th September 2022.

The contractor Wessex Water has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is not permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Wessex Water on 0345 600 4600, quoting reference: ttro733503WS.

A map showing the proposed affected closure area (in red) is shown below, and the proposed diversion route (in blue, please note this could be be subject to change on review).

Consultation on council tax support scheme launched

A consultation on council tax support for the new unitary Somerset Council is now open.

This is the first major policy consultation for the new council and it proposes that the lowest income households across Somerset get 100% council tax relief.

Somerset’s four district councils currently offer varying levels of council tax support.

Maximum relief is set at 80% to 85% in most parts of the county, only in South Somerset is 100% relief available.

The proposed changes would harmonise support for working-age people on low incomes across the county and come into effect on 1 April 2023, with the creation of the new Council.

Councillor Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset County Council, said:

“Our new unitary council is a chance to make Somerset fairer for everyone. These proposals would get more help to the people who need it most, no matter where they live in the County.

“As many as 35,000 households in Somerset benefit from a reduction in their council tax, so a single, simplified support scheme can be cheaper to run as well as fairer.

“Our proposals are flexible too, so that people won’t be unfairly penalised if their income fluctuates from month to month. I would welcome views from residents and groups working in our communities.”

The consultation runs until 19 September and proposes a simplified approach that will be easier to administer.

Under the proposals, a single person with an income below £95 per week, or a couple with two children on a weekly income below £260, would be entitled to the full 100% council tax relief. However, some families with an income below £500 a week could be eligible for some support.

To have your say, visit New Somerset Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2023/24 Consultation webpage.