BBC Somerset

Residents have until New Year's Eve to give their views on how one of their county's landscapes should be managed over the next five years.The Quantock Hills National Landscape Partnership in Somerset has published its draft management plan, laying out how the area will be preserved and improved up to 2031.The plan includes measures to protect and conserve historic man-made elements.Partnership chair Hugh Warmington said: "This is an important moment for the communities of the Quantock Hills and…

A council is planning to increase council tax bills for residents as it attempts to balance its books. Somerset Council is proposing raising its share of the precept by at least 4.99% next year and is considering asking permission from the government to go higher. The council's budget plans for the next financial year warn that, even with a proposed council tax rise, the authority is facing a funding gap of £73m - which it said it was…

Children will be able to use buses for free again after a successful summer scheme saw more than 900,000 young people take part. The summer holiday project led to thousands of free journeys being taken every week in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.Kids Go Free will start up again over the Christmas holidays for children under 16 from 20 December to 4 January 2026.Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:…

Ruth BradleyPolitics reporter, in TauntonBBCCars will be able to park for free on Sundays in some parts of SomersetProposed Sunday parking charges branded a "big mistake" by shopkeepers have been voted down by councillors.Charges were due to be introduced at Somerset Council car parks on Sundays in Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater, but the plans faced strong opposition during a public consultation, including some concern from shopkeepers and church leaders.Somerset Council initially proposed changes due to different rates currently…

Three rural schools have recorded a virtual Christmas celebration because of a rise in transport costs.The pupils would normally come together to celebrate in Somerset but school leaders say doing so now would cost them "thousands", so they have recorded three videos that will be edited into one to celebrate.Hannah Maggs, the executive headteacher at Cameley Primary School in Temple Cloud, said their alternative was a "lovely way" to "teach the Christmas story".The schools hope the new approach…

A grant of almost £1m will mean a hoard of Norman-era treasure found in the Somerset countryside can be put on permanent display.The Chew Valley Hoard, which features 2,584 coins dated from just after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, is thought to be the highest-value treasure acquisition on record at £4.3m.It was found in 2019 by a group out metal detecting in the Chew Valley, who split the findings with the landowner.The National Lottery grant of £993,345…