News in Shepton Mallet

Shepton Mallet residents will see sharp rises in their council tax bills as their local authorities seek to balance their budgets and recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Somerset County Council and the four district councils – Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West & Taunton and South Somerset – have all published their annual budget proposals, which will be approved by councillors before the end of February.

Shepton Mallet residents could face stiffer enforcement action in the future if they don't put their bins out properly.

The Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) is in the process of rolling out its new recycling programme Recycle More across the county, which will see more items recycled at the kerbside and refuse collections moving to once every three weeks.

Shepton Mallet Nub News is excited to announce the launch of its free new weekly newsletter.

Each and every Friday we will be bringing hyperlocal news straight to your email inbox.

Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) is asking householders in Shepton Mallet to put their recycling and rubbish out early for at least the next month.

From Monday February 1, collections will start at 6am rather than 7am to help crews cope with Covid-19 absences and to further protect staff.

Somerset County Council has denied claims made by an MP that it overpaid its highways contractor to the tune of £361,000.

The council has a contract with Skanska to carry out essential road repairs and maintenance across Somerset, which is worth £30 million a year.

Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE) working with Avalon Community Energy (ACE) are looking for heat pump or electric vehicle charge point owners in Shepton Mallet to participate in an action research project to help the move towards a low carbon electricity grid.

The research will take place over five months from March 1 to July 31 2021. Participants could earn up to £5 to £75 per year (pro rata over the five months) for being included.

Grants up to £2,500 are now available for smaller charities and grassroots groups based in Shepton Mallet.

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF), which is based at the Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet, manages The Somerset Fund and is encouraging smaller charities and community groups that run on less than £100,000 per year to apply now for funding.

Like many charities during the coronavirus pandemic, Somerset's five Citizens Advice services have had to change the way that they help local people.

More and more individuals and families are seeking advice over the telephone and email, on issues related to their finances or employment, through to consumer, relationship or housing problems.

The shortlist has been announced in this year's Somerset Business Awards, with companies, charities and individuals from across the county, including Shepton Mallet, vying for the honours.

Judges faced a tough time whittling down a record-breaking number of entries in this year's awards, which are run annually by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce.

Thanks to more than 450 generous supporters across Somerset, the annual Surviving Winter appeal - which provides funding and support to our older neighbours in Shepton Mallet who are struggling to heat their homes - is getting close to reaching its target of £120,000 this winter.

Surviving Winter, which is run by Bath and West Showground-based Somerset Community Foundation (SCF), encourages people who can afford to, to make a donation from their Winter Fuel Payment.