BBC Somerset

The NHS has confirmed it will reduce hospital beds at two community hospitals while introducing new services as part of a trial.In line with the government's 10-year plan, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is looking at relocating or repurposing inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital and Burnham-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital.In April 2026, the trust will temporarily reducing the number of beds from 16 to eight at both hospitals, using the space for services like chemotherapy and maternity services.The trust…

Two new schools for children with additional needs are set to be built after long-awaited funding has been announced.Bath and North East Somerset Council signed off on plans to build a 120-place special school and a 55-place alternative provision school last year, but the funding was frozen by the government. Following an 18-month delay, the money has now been confirmed, with the new schools planned to be built at the vacant Bath Community Academy, which closed seven years…

Ruth BradleyPolitics reporter, BBC SomersetPerry St Social ClubPerry Street Social Club employs 11 local peopleAn "incredible" 126-year-old social club could have to close over a series of large VAT bills.Perry Street Social Club, in the village of South Chard in Somerset, has launched a 'Save Our Club' campaign as well as doubling its membership fees and asking people to pay them early.Chair Martin Whitehead said the not-for-profit club was a victim of current trends in the hospitality business.The…

Sophia AllsoppWest of EnglandGetty ImagesBristol City Council is considering moving black bin collections from fortnightly to once every three weeksResidents could have their black bins collected once every three weeks under new plans.The proposal, which would replace current fortnightly collections, will be considered by Bristol City Council's Environment Policy Committee later.Supporters said the change would encourage more recycling and help reduce rising waste disposal costs.But the proposal remains controversial. More than 16,000 people responded to a consultation, with…

John Wimperis,Local Democracy Reporting ServiceandAna da Silva,BBC News, West of EnglandJohn WimperisThe Georgian Garden was discovered during excavations in Bath in 1985There are fears an "important" 18 Century garden and Grade I listed building could be lost if new trustees are not found. Bath and North East Somerset Council is working to appoint trustees for Georgian Garden, situated at the back of Bath's Number 4 the Circus.The townhouse and garden are owned by a charitable trust, but the…

A project to improve a cycle route has been scrapped because it is too difficult to implement, a council says.Active Travel England provided Somerset Council with £1.5m to carry out work on the existing path along the A39 between Dunster and Carhampton in west Somerset.A spokesperson for the council said: "The funding allocation, with the agreement of Active Travel England, was reallocated to a number of other schemes due to the logistical challenges of the original proposal."The authority…

Dave HarveyBusiness and environment correspondent, West of EnglandBBCDairy farmer Richard Clothier sees cow manure as "nature's crude oil"How many homes could be heated by cow muck?It is not a question I have thought about before, but as Britain searches for sustainable sources of heat, many farmers are looking, well, right under their noses.Cow manure can be treated to release biomethane, a renewable gas which is already used to power central heating boilers in about a million homes.But there…

Chris LockyerWest of EnglandPA MediaDrink and drug driving offences are slightly up on last yearMore than 200 arrests have been made in the first two weeks in December by police forces in the West of England for drink or drug driving offences.It is part of action over the festive period to tackle the offence on the roads of Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.Officers have been conducting roadside checks, warning drivers there is "no safe way" to drink and…