Author: David Lacey

Temporary Closure of Budleigh Road and Ruggin Road 3rd February

Temporary Closure of Budleigh Road and Ruggin Road along Budleigh Road and Ruggin Road from Budleigh Road; the junction with Chelmsine Lane, northwards for 400m and Ruggin Road; the junction with Budleigh Road, westwards for 155m for a total distance of 555 metres.
This order will enable BT Openreach to access overhead network to renew a faulty aerial cable. The Order becomes effective on 03 February 2020 and will remain in force for eighteen months. The works are expected to last for 4 days (09:30-15:30). Full details

Engagement on community health and care services

Have your say about providing care closer to home in Somerset

Health and care services in Somerset are running an engagement programme to gather feedback from local people about providing care closer to home.

Health and care services in Somerset aim to support people to live independent, healthier lives by having the right services in the right place for their needs, available at the right time and delivered by the right people. The engagement programme runs until 12 April 2020. 

Everyone who lives and works in Somerset is invited to join in, think about and help shape a new way of providing services which is, where practical, closer to where they live, supports independence and maintains health. Everyone’s input, ideas and suggestions are vital to helping them make sure that we have the right services in the right place.

The engagement document shares with everyone the reasons why current services need to change and the challenges faced in continuing to run them.

Using all the feedback received, a number of ways that health and care services could be delivered differently will be developed. There will be public consultation about these potential options in the future.

Health and care services would like to know what you think about their ideas so far and get your feedback. You can read the full engagement document on their website at www.fitformyfuture.org.uk or contact them by email somccg.fitformyfuture@nhs.net or telephone 01935 384119.

 

 

Temporary Closure of Hockholler Road on 6th February for 3 days

Hockholler Road from 480m south east of the junction with
Heatherton Park Road, south-eastwards for a distance of 220 metres.
This order will enable Utility Services Ltd to carry out poling works on behalf of BT Openreach RCNTD12524 – Notice 1
The Order becomes effective on 06 February 2020 and will remain in force for eighteen months. The works are expected to last for 3 days (09:30-15:30).
Please visit www.one.network for further information on the alternative route
For information about the works being carried out please contact Utility Services Ltd
on 01884 763100

Have your say about proposals for changing acute inpatient mental health services for adults of working age

Health and care services in Somerset are running a public consultation to gather feedback from local people about the future locations of acute mental health beds for people of working age. The consultation runs until 12 April 2020. 

An acute mental health ward is where patients are admitted to provide them with the level of treatment and support they need. This might be because they need further assessment, they need to be kept safe or they need more intensive support than can be provided at home.

Health and care services are considering changing the location of the acute mental health ward at Wells for people aged between 18 and 65 years and moving it to Yeovil. The number of beds will remain the same.

The reason for the proposed change is due to concerns about patients and staff safety. Two of the four wards for people aged between 18 and 65 years are located in Taunton, with one ward in both Yeovil and Wells. These two are ‘standalone’ wards which means they are not close to other wards, and one of them is also a long way from the nearest Emergency Department.

All other existing services at Priory Health Park in Wells will remain, whatever the outcome of the consultation, and community mental health services available to people in the Wells/Mendip area will be expanded and enhanced: this includes a Crisis Café.

Health and care services would like to know what you think about their ideas. You can fill in the questionnaire here: http://bit.ly/FFMF-Mental-Health-Consultation

You can read the full consultation document on their website at www.fitformyfuture.org.uk or contact them by email somccg.fitformyfuture@nhs.net or telephone 01935 384119

SWT Issues & Options Consultation

The Strategy Team are currently working on the Issues and Options document for the newly formed Somerset West and Taunton Council (excluding the Exmoor National Park area). The consultation will take place from Monday 13th January to Monday 16th March 2020.

We are also inviting comments on two documents which are needed to support and evidence the Local Plan: the Sustainability Appraisal; and the Habitats Regulations Assessment.

This is the first consultation stage in the Local Plan process. The document looks at the key issues and draft objectives for the Local Plan, particularly around climate change and development needs over the next 20 years.  Views from local communities and businesses are important in helping to shape Somerset West and Taunton and we would really appreciate your help in engaging with your areas.

Whilst the consultation doesn’t begin until January, we wanted to inform you of our intention as we are aware that Parish Council meetings are held at varying intervals. It would also be really helpful if you were able to share the contents of this email with your Parish Councillors and, if appropriate, mention in your Parish Magazine, website or newsletter.

We will have the consultation information on our website and will contact directly all those on our existing consultee database by email (or send letters to those without an email address). The documents will be available to view at the following inspection points:

Deane House

West Somerset House

Bishops Lydeard Community Library

Dulverton Library

Minehead Library

Nether Stowey Community Library

North Petherton Community Library

Porlock Community Library

Priorswood Community Library

Taunton Library

Watchet Community Library

Wellington Library

Williton Library

Wiveliscombe Community Library

We will also be visiting these venues, where you can find out more and ask questions:

  • Wellington, Quaker Meeting House – 21 January, 10am to 3pm
  • Williton, West Somerset House – 30 January, 2pm to 7pm
  • Taunton, the Orchard Shopping Centre – 6 February, 10am to 3pm
  • Minehead, Methodist Church – 10 February, 2pm to 7pm
  • Watchet, The Sanctuary – 11 February, 10am to 3pm
  • Wiveliscombe, Community Centre – 20 February, 10am to 3pm
  • Taunton, Deane House – 27 February, 2pm to 7pm