...........................................................................................................................................................

Follow us on Twitter:www.twitter.com/southsomersetdc

South Somerset News The latest news, information and events in South Somerset

Like us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/SouthSomersetDistrictCouncil

Summer 2016

In this issue...

Free summer playdaysPage 2

Strike a Chord ProjectPage 3

Countryside eventsPage 4

Beware Facebook fl ytippersPage 5

Receive a notifi cation email when South Somerset News is released. Sign up now at www.southsomerset.gov.uk/latest-news

Work at Westland Sports & Leisure Complex beginsWork on the development of Westlands Sports & Leisure complex has begun now that Leonardo Helicopters and South Somerset District Council have announced the agreement of a 30 year lease.

Work started on site on 27th June, with the view that the refurbished sports facilities will open in January 2017 and the main complex building in mid-February 2017 transforming the complex to a premier entertainment and sporting facility.

The site will be renamed and this will announced shortly to rebrand the site and usher in a new era for the facility moving away from the conception of a club for the employees of Westlands to a facility that belongs to all the residents of South Somerset.

The main complex will be run as a ‘sister’ venue to The Octagon Theatre with the management team at The Octagon excited at the prospect of the new venue complementing the existing theatre. The complex will be run as an ‘entertainment and conference venue’ with the installation of a retractable seating bank into the main ballroom and state of the art sound and lighting equipment. continues on page 2...

Artist's impression of the ballroom area within the Westland Sports & Leisure Complex site.

Call us on 01935 462125 to set up your Direct Debit by telephone.

Visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/ninespringscafe

Work at Westland Sports & Leisure Complex begins continued...

With 900 seats or the option of over 1,500 standing in the main ballroom, the larger and more fl exible capacity than The Octagon’s 622 will enable the development of the live music and comedy programme in addition to conferences, balls and events. The seating shown in the image on the front page can be removed/retracted and the room can be used for multi-purpose events.

The complex boasts various function rooms with plenty of fl exibility to suit every occasion. The project team have been working closely with architects to develop the site and unlock potential.

The facility will cement Yeovil’s reputation as 'the destination' for entertainment and leisure and provide an excellent service for local businesses. It will be available for all residents to enjoy and will be a source of joy and entertainment for generations.

For District Council services

Call us: 01935 462462

Text SSDC to 66777 followed by your query (standard network rates apply)

Visit us online: www.southsomerset.gov.ukemail us: ssdc@southsomerset.gov.uk

Write to us: Council Offi ces, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2HT

Contact your local councillor: www.southsomerset.gov.uk/councillor

@Southsomersetdc @Southsomersetdc South Somerset District Council

Your South Somerset News

If you require a copy of South Somerset News in audio format, please telephone or email us:

Tel: 01935 462130email: martin.hacker@southsomerset.gov.uk

You can also use these contact details to ask any questions or give comments or feedback about this edition of South Somerset News.

Image above: Artist's impression of the reception area within the Westland Sports & Leisure Complex site.

A 12 month green wheelie bin subscription is just £50. At less than a pound a week, this service remains good value and offers a quick and easy way for your garden waste to be collected and composted.

A 24 month subscription is just £95.

As an alternative to bins you can purchase garden sacks from us which currently cost £26 for 10 sacks.

HOW TO JOIN:Online: www.southsomerset.gov.uk/gardenwasteCall: 01935 462462Visit: call in to one of our officeswww.southsomerset.gov.uk/find-us

Universal Credit update in South SomersetUniversal Credit will be fully rolled out in the South Somerset District Council area by early 2017. It has currently been available just for single jobseekers. Universal Credit will be replacing all new claims for:

• Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based)• Employment and Support Allowance (Income Based)• Income Support• Working Tax Credit• Child Tax Credit• Housing Benefit

If you are of pension age and/or a couple who are both of pension age, this change will not affect you and you will still be able to apply for Housing Benefit.

Council Tax Support continues to be available for people who need help to pay their Council Tax. If you claim Universal Credit, you will need to make a separate claim to the Council for Council Tax Support.

We are making preparations to provide support for on-line claims for Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.

More details on Universal Credit will follow in the winter edition of South Somerset News.

South Somerset positively alive with the sound of musicA year long project called ‘Strike A Chord!’, brought to you by The Octagon Theatre, has reached a climax that saw the full Philharmonia Orchestra perform two concerts.

The project originally started in 2012, when Octagon Theatre Manager, Adam Burgan, met Charles Hazelwood at the launch of Creative Somerset where Charles was the keynote speaker. Charles said that 60% of children in the UK have never experienced a live orchestra. This prompted Adam to contact Charles with the ambition of providing access for children in South Somerset to not only experience live classical music but experience it being played by one of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras being conducted by one of our most celebrated conductors.

With the funds in place, musical activity and workshops delivered by the Philharmonia Orchestra began in January of this year in nine of Yeovil’s primary schools. A week of

inspirational and highly informative visits to the schools from members of the Philharmonia took place, with a full school Music assembly from the team in addition to specialised workshops for KS2 children.

The project came to a close recently in June when a special performance by the Philharmonia Orchestra was given to schools involved in the Strike a Chord project. The public were also given a chance to experience the world class orchestra when they performed in the evening of 7th June.

It was a sparkling climax to the pilot year and began a music revolution in Somerset that will hopefully continue and bring a new generation of Somerset children to discover the joy of music.

Visit www.carelinesouthsomerset.co.uk

Women and girls in communities across South Somerset have dusted down their trainers and got involved in a brand new programme named In It Together, which aims to get women and girls 16+ more active.

The three year project was made possible after South Somerset District Council led a successful Sport England National Lottery bid for £163,294. Since the project was launched in February, courses have been set up in a variety of locations including Crewkerne, Wincanton, Yeovil and Martock.

Aimed at beginners and those returning to sport and exercise, the courses provide a welcoming environment for women to have fun, make friends and generally feel good. Courses initially last for 8-12 weeks but due to demand most are continuing as participants have found them so benefi cial.

So far participants have enjoyed Beginners Badminton, Back to Netball, Back to Hockey, Beginners Tennis and Volleyball but with many more courses lined up women are urged to keep an eye on the In It Together Facebook page www.facebook.com/InItTogetherSouthSomerset or email iit@southsomerset.gov.uk for more details.

Early in 2014, Yeovil Central Ward was identifi ed by analysis

from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary Operating Model to have the highest demand for policing services across Somerset East policing area.

The multiplicity of agencies, partnership arrangements, responsibilities and individual teams involved in delivering services in Yeovil Central meant that there was no single detailed overview of the pull on services, or effective overview on how partners are tackling the core reasons for the demand for services.

While crime rates in recent years have dropped considerably in Yeovil Central, the beat continues to have relatively high rates of crime and anti-social behaviour and accounts for three times the requests for police services of other local beats.

Building on the existing resources and structures, the multi-agency team was pulled together in June 2014 on a pilot basis with an overarching aim of the Yeovil ‘One Team’ to developing an integrated model of neighbourhood service delivery to reduce demand and prevent crime and disorder within the Yeovil Central Beat.

Women in South Somerset are In It Together

The background behind the Yeovil One team

Countryside Events = Free event!

Sat 11 July Chard Countryside Day

Fri 22 July Woodland storytelling at Yeovil Country Park

£1 fee, no need to book

Sat 23 July Brilliant bees at Yeovil Country Park

Sun 24 July Ham Hill Dog Show, free entry

classes £1.50

Tue 26 July Bountiful butterfl ies at Yeovil Country Park

£5 fee

Wed 27 July Bat walk at Yeovil Country Park

£5 child£7 adult

Fri 29 July Fire lighting at Ham Hill Country Park

£5 fee

Wed 3 Aug National Playday at Yeovil Country Park

Tue 9 Aug Mini beasts hunt and craft session at Chard Reservoir

£5 fee

Mon 12 Aug Den building at Ham Hill Country Park

£5 fee

Fri 26 Aug Campfi re cooking at Ham Hill Country Park

£5 fee

Sat 3 Sep Ham Hill Medieval FairMon 3 Oct Fabulous foraging at

Ham Hill Country Park£7 adult

PLUS lots more events! Visit our website www.southsomersetcountryside.com to see what else is happening at our countryside sites.

To book a place on events, call 01935 462282 or email countryside@southsomerset.gov.uk.

Missed waste or recycling collection?

Report it online at

www.southsomerset.gov.uk/online-services

Find out about the latest work by the

www.somersetriversauthority.org.uk

New Careline website launch gives better access to the serviceA new stand-alone Careline website has been officially launched by South Somerset District Council giving residents a better chance to find out about the service.

Careline is an emergency response system for people who need reassurance that help is at hand at the push of a button 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is run by South Somerset District Council.

The new website - www.carelinesouthsomerset.co.uk - gives residents the opportunity to find out about the service, how it works, the costs involved and also the opportunity to register an enquiry. It gives potential users and their family the opportunity to access the service from home at their convenience.

Find out more about how Careline can help you, your family or friends by calling 01935 479815, visiting www.carelinesouthsomerset.co.uk or emailing careline@southsomerset.gov.uk.

Food fan? Keen gardener? Help make a differenceKeen to help others in South Somerset recycle more, waste less and save cash? There are two great opportunities to make a difference just by chatting to friends and family, neighbours and others in your community.

Somerset Waste Partnership is backing both the Food Champion and Compost Champion schemes in which volunteers get free training, support materials and some expenses for promoting home composting or helping others save money by reducing food waste through simple practical tips.

It is easy to find out more and get on the list for future training. For information on Compost Champions and contact details to ask questions and check on training days take a look at: www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/more/composting/champions.

For the Food Champions scheme and the national Love Food Hate Waste promotional campaign, there is information here: www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/more/food.

To check on future Food Champion training, email your details with “Food Champions” in the subject line to recycle@somersetwaste.gov.uk.

Beware Facebook fly-tippersResidents are being warned to take great care before using anyone who advertises waste services on social media.

‘Facebook Flytippers’ pose online as legitimate firms but dump the rubbish. Dumped waste in South Somerset has been traced back to householders using “man and van” services. Every individual and business has a ‘duty of care’ to ensure they correctly dispose of their waste. If fly-tipped waste can be traced back to its owner, the owner can be fined up to £5,000.

Find out more about social media flytippers at www.southsomerset.gov.uk/facebookflytippers

The Gold Star Awards focus on the amazing feats of youngsters up to the age of 18 and adults who work with young people in a voluntary capacity. Visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/goldstars for more information. Nominations close Friday 9th September.

Rent-a-desk initiative to go live in WincantonA new initiative for people wanting flexible office accommodation in Wincanton has been launched by South Somerset District Council (SSDC).

Ideally suited to smaller home based businesses or those who have the occasional need for an office but do not wish to be bound by a lease, a hot desk space in the Lime Room at SSDC's Churchfield offices could be the answer.

If you work from home, the Lime Room provides two desk spaces to enable you to work without the distraction of home life. Bring your laptop, mobile phone and just get going. Printer and Wifi access connection (typical speeds: download 16.08mbps, upload 11.16mbps) is included within our flexible hourly bookings.

For regional staff of companies that are on the road and are working from their car as they travel around the south-west, this is a convenient 'pit stop' situated just off the A303.

A photocopier and meeting rooms are also available for use although separate charges will be applied.

If you are interested in renting a space in the Lime Room in Wincanton, please call Terena or Jackie in our Area Development Team on 01963 435004.

Possible changes to planning controls: Houses in Multiple OccupationThe District Council has recently consulted on the proposal to implement new controls for the creation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in parts of Yeovil.

Planning permission is not currently required to use a property where up to six unrelated individuals are living as a single household.

If a property is to be occupied by more than six individuals, then it is necessary to make a planning application to change the use of the property. This means that the majority of existing HMOs have not been subject to the assessment that comes with a planning application.

The proposed new controls, via an Article 4 Direction application, would mean that a planning application would be required to use a dwelling in particular areas of Yeovil as an HMO for more than three unrelated people thereby allowing the impacts to be properly considered and local people to be consulted. The additional controls would not affect existing HMOs.

Find out more information about the changes to HMOs and the potential requirement for a planning application at www.southsomerset.gov.uk/HMO.

Warm weather tips for dog owners• Your dog must always be able to move into a

cooler, ventilated environment.• Never leave dogs alone in cars, glass

conservatories or caravans even if it's cloudy.• If you do leave dogs outside, you must provide

a cool shady spot where they can escape from the sun.

• Always provide good supplies of drinking water, in a weighted bowl that can't be knocked over. Carry water with you on hot days.

• Groom dogs regularly to get rid of excess hair. Give long-coated breeds a haircut at the start of summer.

• Never allow dogs to exercise excessively in hot weather.

• Dogs can get sunburn - particularly those with light-coloured noses/fur on their ears. Ask your vet for advice on pet-safe sunscreen.

If you see a distressed dog in a car on a warm day, call the Police on 999. If the Police are unable to attend, call the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.