Somerset West and Taunton Council is supporting the Minehead and Coast Development Trust, working with local partners in Minehead has commissioned consultants to undertake a refresh of the 2016 Minehead Economic Plan with a focus on People and Place.
The Minehead Survey has now been set up and can be accessed using the following link:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/mineheadcommunitysurvey
As a starting point, we’d be grateful for your comments on how you use the town, what appeals to you, what could be improved. We also want to understand what you think are the main challenges the town faces and the priorities we should focus on to address these and enhance Minehead in the future.
You have until the 10th June to complete the survey. If you have specific queries on the survey, please email info@mineheadbay.co.uk Thank you for your contribution to the process.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport currently has an open call for evidence on improving broadband for very hard to reach areas. They would like to receive information on both the known benefits of broadband services and the current barriers to deployment and take-up.
Here is the link to the consultation – Improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)– please complete and share as appropriate
Somerset County Council will continue to provide help to families in need of food support over the May half-term period.
At its Full Council meeting on Wednesday, May 5, the Council Leader Cllr David Fothergill confirmed plans to allocate a total of £250,000 of funding to schools in Somerset to fund food vouchers over the May half-term.
This will provide vouchers for the 14,509 children in Somerset eligible for Free School Meals, plus an additional allocation which schools can use to provide help to other families who they feel would also benefit from support.
Somerset County Council has been working to tackle holiday hunger during the pandemic, providing funding for food and vouchers over October half-term, Christmas, February half-term and the Easter holidays.
Cllr Fothergill said: “We are determined to ensure no-one in Somerset goes hungry. This has undoubtedly been a difficult year for many families, and it is good that we can provide this funding to help at this time.
“Importantly, we have made sure that anyone who receives food support is made aware of the network of further support that is available to help them address other underlying issues, including financial advice and mental health support, housing advice and help with transport.”
Further support has been provided for young people in Somerset who qualify for Free School Meals through the Holiday Activities and Food programme supported by the Department for Education.
Somerset County Council joined forces with the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) to deliver food and fun activities to more than 2,500 children during the recent Easter holidays. Work is currently underway to expand the programme for the upcoming Summer holidays.
Somerset’s wider emergency food response to the pandemic has seen more than 500,000 meals and items of food delivered to communities, families and individuals across Somerset through the Somerset Food Resilience Taskforce.
The Taskforce is a great example of partnership working involving Somerset’s Local Authorities, Village Agents, Fareshare, and numerous voluntary and community groups.
Work is underway to establish a sustainable model of food support for post-Covid which will continue to provide the appropriate support at the earliest opportunity and enable people to get the help they need. This includes supporting the development of community pantries and food projects, and continuing our close relationships with the Village Agents, Citizens Advice and community and voluntary groups.
Anyone in Somerset who needs support with access to food or medicines, or emotional and financial support, can call the Somerset Coronavirus Helpline on 0300 790 6275, seven days a week, 8am to 6pm, or visit the CCS Village Agents website https://somersetagents.org/help-with-food/
Please be aware that we have received notification of an urgent road closure at Main Road, Sampford Brett, which will commence on 10th May 2021 and is expected to last until 14th May 2021 (the closure is between the hours of 00:00 – 23:59).
These works are for Wessex Water to repair a leak for a commercial customer, their works reference is 039056266001.
For any further information about this closure please contact Wessex Water on 0345 600 4600, quoting reference: ttro451131WS – Main Road, Sampford Brett.
A map of the affected area (in red), together with the recommended diversion route (in purple) is shown below, along with the link to One.Network. https://one.network/?tm=122076033
Map data © Google Terms of Use
Jeremy Phillips,
The Road Closure Team
Contact Centre Tel: 0300 123 2224
Email: ttro@somerset.gov.uk
Traffic Management, Road Safety and Parking Services
Somerset County Council
County Hall
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 4DY
Web: www.somerset.gov.uk
Somerset residents are being reminded that they need to book a PCR test if they are showing symptoms of Covid-19, or have tested positive using a ‘lateral flow’ (rapid) test kit.
While the ‘lateral flow’ tests are a useful screening tool, the PCR test is considered the ‘Gold Standard’ and should be taken by anyone who is displaying symptoms of Covid-19, including a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell.
Also, if anyone takes a ‘lateral flow’ test at home and gets a positive result, they should book a further PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test at a local Covid testing site to confirm the result.
Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health for Somerset County Council, said: “It is really important to understand the difference between the ‘lateral flow’ tests and the PCR test.
“The ‘lateral flow’ tests are only to be used by those displaying no symptoms. While they are a valuable guide, they should not be relied upon alone. Taking a PCR test will provide confirmation of the result.
“So, if you are displaying symptoms or have tested positive using a ‘lateral flow’ test, please book a PCR test. As society starts to open up again, everyone needs to play their part to keep the virus under control and this involves testing.”
You can book or request a PCR test online or by calling 119.
The ‘lateral flow’ tests for those displaying no symptoms are available via the Universal Testing Offer. Please also remember to log any positive or negative result following a ‘lateral flow’ test taken at home.
Trudi added: “The main form of defence against catching and spreading Covid-19 is still ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’ – remember to wash your hands regularly, try not to touch your face unless you have clean hands, wear a face covering if you can and keep your distance from others. And, even if vaccinated, it’s still important you take part in twice-weekly LFT testing and ensure you take a PCR test if you are symptomatic.”
