The Environment Agency are holding a public drop-in event before phase 2 of their construction works on the Curry Moor Flood Storage Area on 8^th March.

Curry Moor FSA Drop In Event Poster

Residents in parts of Somerset are being reminded they may have an extra, one-off Saturday rubbish collection in February.

The extra collections for some households will ensure no-one goes more than three weeks between rubbish collections when a new set of routes and collection days start from 12 February.

The 35,000 households due to have the one-off collection – on either 10, 17 or 24 of February – will have received a letter in January to explain the changes.

Only residents in the former Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton and a small part of South Somerset could be affected.

Anyone unsure if they have one of these extra Saturday collections can use the online lookup feature: www.somerset.gov.uk/reroute. A PDF version of the updated service guide and collection calendar can also be downloaded.

Residents in the following towns and surrounding villages should check if they have an extra rubbish collection. Not every household in these locations will have an extra collection, but some will.

Residents are reminded to re-download their collection schedule to their smart phone or tablet from Monday 12 February.

More than 120,000 residents covering the former Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton areas, as well as a small part of South Somerset, will have a change to their collection.

Residents may have:

• a change to collection day
• a change in week that their rubbish is collected
• a one-off extra rubbish collection

There will be no changes to:

• collection days for garden waste subscribers
• clinical waste collections
• communal property collections with shared collections (such as blocks of flats, houses of multiple occupancy and retirement developments)
• schools waste collections

The changes will make rounds more efficient and manageable for crews, whilst reducing mileage and carbon emissions.

The new guides and their delivery came at no extra cost to Somerset Council. They are funded by the council’s collections contractor Suez Recycling and Recovery UK.

The Parish Clerk will not be in the office today (1st February) but will be working from home and available by email all day.

Over 400 trees supplied by Reimagining the Levels were planted on Saturday at Knappwoods Farm with the help of many members of the North Curry Environment Group and 32 volunteers, including the enthusiastic children!

From April, government childcare support is expanding.

What’s changing?

At the moment, all parents are entitled to up to 15 hours a week funded childcare for children aged three and four years old. This increases to up to 30 hours a week for parents who work and earn more than the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage, but less than £100,000 per year.

Some two-year-olds are also eligible for up to 15 hours a week funded childcare if their family receive some additional forms of government support.

From April, the scheme will be gradually expanded so that by September 2025, working parents of all children over the age of nine months old will be entitled to up to 30 hours a week funded childcare.

The changes are being introduced gradually.

Key dates:

• from April 2024, eligible working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access up to 15 hours a week funded childcare
• from September 2024, up to 15 hours a week funded childcare will be extended to eligible working parents of children aged from nine months to three year olds
• from September 2025, eligible working parents of children under the age of five-years-old will be entitled to up to 30 hours a week funded childcare

Will your child be two years old by Sunday 31 March 2024?

Applications are now open for eligible working parents of two year olds to receive up to 15 hours a week funded childcare, starting from April 2024.

You’ll need to be working, and earning under £100,000 a year, but at least £167 a week (the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage).

If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you’re unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.

How do I apply for funded childcare?

You can apply for a code to get funded childcare on the Government’s website.

You’ll need to set up a childcare account. It usually takes 20 minutes to apply. You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to seven days.

Once your application has been approved, you’ll get a code for funded childcare to give to your childcare provider.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 31 March 2024 to be able to access the funding from Monday 1 April 2024. If you miss the deadline, you won’t be able to start using the new entitlements until the next funding period, which starts on Sunday 1 September 2024.

Make sure you have the following information to hand before starting the application process:

• your national insurance number (or unique taxpayer reference if you are self-employed)
• details of any Government support or benefits you receive
• the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) for your child
• the date you started or are due to start work (this can be approximate if more than three months ago)

You and your partner cannot both have accounts for the same child, but you must include your partner in your application if you are married or in a civil partnership and live together; or are not married or in a civil partnership, but living together as though you are. Their employment and income will not affect your eligibility if they are, or will be absent from your household for more than six months or are in prison.

If you are separated, you and your ex-partner need to decide who should apply if you are jointly responsible for your child. If you cannot decide, both of you must apply separately and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will decide who gets a childcare account.

When can I apply for funded childcare?

You can apply from when your child is one year and 36 weeks old for up to 15 hours a week funded childcare or two years and 36 weeks old for up to 30 hours a week funded childcare.

• If your child’s birthday is between 1 September and 31 December, the best time time apply is from 15 October to 30 November in order to receive the funding on or after 1 January
• If your child’s birthday is between 1 January and 31 March, the best time time apply is from 15 January to 28 February in order to receive the funding on or after 1 April
• If your child’s birthday is between 1 April and 31 August, the best time time apply is from 15 June to 31 July in order to receive the funding on or after 1 September

You can apply outside of these recommended dates but you might not receive your code in time. You must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new funding period starts.

You must sign in to your childcare account to confirm your details are up to date every three months or your code will expire.

Apply for free childcare now

When can my child start?

Your child can begin to receive the funding from the start of the funding period following their relevant birthday (see table above).

Early Years funded childcare stops when your child starts in reception class (or reaches compulsory school age, if later).

How can I use my free childcare?

The hours of funded childcare per week are based on 38 weeks of the year (school term-time), however, they can be used flexibly with one or more providers and can be ‘stretched’ over 52 weeks by using fewer hours per week.

The childcare must be with an approved childcare provider and can be used in day care settings such as nurseries and pre-schools, at childminders, sessional providers such as play groups and after school clubs.

What if my child has additional needs?

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) should be included and educated, with support where required, alongside their peers.

All childcare providers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to include children with special educational needs and disabilities.

There’s more information about help with paying for childcare for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities on our website.

What other financial childcare help is available?

The Government’s Childcare Choices website brings together all the existing childcare offers in one place, so parents can get the help that fits their family.

This could be through Tax Free Childcare, 30 Hours Childcare, or Universal Credit Childcare. Some families might be eligible to use more than one childcare scheme together to get the most out of it.

There’s also a ‘Childcare Calculator’ to add up all the help you can get.

The ‘Help For Households’ website also has a section with advice and financial support specifically for families.

The cash and climate benefits of switching to reusable care products will be promoted in Somerset libraries next month.

A series of free drop-in events for residents will be held in February for anyone interested in reusable period products, nappies or adult continence items.

Switching to reusables not only reduces rubbish, but it cuts plastic waste and are often cheaper compared to buying single use items.

The events are in partnership with Suez Recycling and Recovery UK and Moonie, a company that produces eco-friendly products.

The ‘Waste Not Somerset’ events will be held 10am – 2pm at the following locations and there is no need to book in advance:

• Thursday 8 February, Bridgwater Library
• Tuesday 13 February, Yeovil Library
• Wednesday 14 February, Taunton Library
• Thursday 15 Feb, Minehead Library
• Saturday 17 February, Glastonbury Library

Absorbent hygiene products, including single-use continence and period products make up about 2.5% of Somerset’s rubbish bins – and nappies make up a further 11%.

In the UK 200,000 tonnes of menstrual products are disposed of every year. Last year in Somerset, 1947 tonnes of absorbent hygiene products were thrown into the rubbish. Swapping to reusable period products reduces waste and could save someone up to £5,000 on period products in their lifetime.

The popularity of reusable personal care items is rising, with a vast array of items on the market, which may feel daunting when considering making the switch.

At each event, examples of different types of reusable period products, nappies and continence items will be available for people to take a closer look.

There will also be some useful take home resources available as well as colleagues from Somerset Council, SUEZ UK and Moonie*, so you can speak to them about making the switch and gain confidence in doing so.

Cllr Dixie Darch, Executive Lead Member for Climate and Environment at Somerset Council said: “It’s important that residents know the options available when it comes to choosing reusable products.

“This initiative means that people have the opportunity to ask questions and take a look at different products without the pressure of having to buy.

“We want to make it simple for residents to reduce waste and save money. Choosing to reuse is often cheaper and more environmentally friendly.”

Kia Brooker, co-founder of eco-products brand, Moonie said: “We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Somerset Council and SUEZ UK in reducing the impact on the environment and the fight against period poverty.

“Moonie is dedicated to creating a positive impact, and this collaboration exemplifies our commitment to fostering change and supporting individuals in their menstrual health journey. Through this initiative we are excited to contribute to the eradication of period poverty.”

*Kia Brooker, co-founder of Moonie, who hand-make reusable period products (and supplier of some of the examples available on the day) will be attending events in Taunton and Yeovil libraries.

Lily Morton, Senior Community Liaison Manager, SUEZ UK said: “We are really pleased to be launching this pilot project in partnership with Somerset Council and Moonie. This is a great use of the SW:EEP fund, investing back into the community to influence residents behaviour around reuse and promoting the benefits of switching to reusable personal hygiene products.

“One of our strategic goals is to use less and reuse more and our purpose of building a sustainable future that doesn’t cost the earth, this pilot aligns with many of our core values. We encourage all residents with an interest in reuse to come and see us at one of the events in your local library!”

More information on reusable personal care products can be found on Somerset Council’s website: www.somerset.gov.uk/waste

We’re planning to replace ageing water mains in Meare Green and North Curry which are prone to bursts to ensure you have improved water quality and a more reliable supply for years to come.

This is an investment of more than £600,000 to enhance water supply in the area and follows a similar significant investment around Stoke St Gregory that was completed in late 2022 and early 2023.

This project will start on Monday 4 March 2024 and continue for approximately 28 weeks, finishing in late September 2024.

How will the work affect you?

The work will take place in two phases, as outlined below and in the map attached.

From Monday 4 March, a temporary compound area will be set up within a field just off Stoke Road to provide a storage area for the machinery required for the scheme.

• Thursday 14 March– Sunday 21 July 2024 – Stoke Road will be closed from the junction with Curload Road to the junction with Broad Lane. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses. A diversion using Stoke Road, Moor Lane, New Road, A361, Stathe Road, Slough Lane, Stanmoor Road, Curload Road, Willey Road, Huntham Lane, Huntham Road and Broad Lane.
• During the first phase, the number 51 bus will continue to run, following the diversion route via Huntham Lane during this phase of the work.
• Monday 22 July– Friday 6 September 2024 – Stoke Road will be closed from the junction with Broad Lane to near the junction with White Street, North Curry. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses. The diversion, using New Road, the A361, Stathe Road, Slough Lane and Stoke Road will remain in place until 6 September 2024.
• During the second phase, Wessex Water will fund an additional shuttle bus service which will provide a direct connection for residents in Stoke St Gregory, Curload and Athelney into Taunton town centre and will depart from these stops at the same or similar times to those that it currently operates.
• Monday 9 September – Friday 13 September 2024 – We shall demobilise our compound just off Stoke Road.

During these closures we shall ensure that residents can access their properties from one end depending on the location we are working in. There may be an occasional slight delay during working hours but please speak to our on-site team with any specific access requirements.

There may be some noise disruption during this project, but we will keep this to a minimum where possible. You can continue to use your water supply as normal while we carry out this essential work unless we tell you otherwise.

What should you do?

You don’t need to do anything, but if you have any questions about our work, please call 0345 600 4 600 or visit wessexwater.co.uk/contact-us

Need some extra support?

We know that some customers need extra help due to age, ill health, a disability, mental illness or additional needs. This may include easy access to water during a leak or outage, help reading your meter, or setting up a password for when we visit. You can register for Priority Services on our website at wessexwater.co.uk/priorityservices or call us on 0345 600 4 600.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by our work.

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=136692535 and the link for the Notice 2: https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_136692535_3671251_fd785a42c3.pdf
The order becomes effective on 15th February 2024 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 19th February 2024 and last for 12 days to enable Airband to carry out fibre cabling works for customer connection.

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Airband on 0190 567 6121, quoting reference: ttro157481TD.

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=136498759 and the link for the Notice 2: https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_136498759_3671196_e5b411eceb.pdf
The order becomes effective on 15th February 2024 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 19th February 2024 and last for 5 days to enable Wessex Water to carry out new connection works.

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is not permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Wessex Water on 0345 600 4600, quoting reference: ttro368432W(TD).

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Volunteer Visitors Needed

Somerset Sight is recruiting volunteers to befriend visually impaired people on a regular basis.

Would you like to help someone in your local area?

Join our team of volunteers, who help people to remain independent and overcome loneliness and isolation.

All reasonable and out of pocket expenses are paid.

For more information, please contact Somerset Sight on: 01823 333818 or email admin@somersetsight.org.uk

Somerset Sight is a local charity that has been supporting sight-impaired people across Somerset for over a hundred years and in 2019 we proudly won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

One of the services we offer is the Volunteer Visiting Service, whereby volunteers are matched locally with a sight-impaired person for regular visits for company and support and to alleviate their loneliness and isolation.

Volunteer visitors help with a variety of tasks such as reading, correspondence, making appointments, going out for a drive or just a cup of tea and a chat.  Many volunteers get great satisfaction and enjoyment from their voluntary work, many friendships are formed and the people they support very much look forward to their visits, some telling us that it is the highlight of their week.  Full training is provided and we cover all reasonable expenses.

We have a number of visually impaired people in Somerset who would welcome a volunteer visitor, but they are on a waiting list as we don’t have enough volunteers to match them with.  Therefore, we just wondered if you might be able to assist us in promoting this service to help us recruit some more volunteers.

Furthermore, we hold monthly Social Groups for the visually impaired in various towns across Somerset. Our service users come along to have a chat and a coffee, and we are also able to share ideas and information about living with sight loss. Please call Somerset Sight on 01823 333818 to find out more.

We also have a Mobile Advisory Service which travels across the whole of Somerset offering information, advice and visual aids for people with sight loss. We have lots of helpful gadgets and interesting resources on board. The dates are on the website.

We arrange regular outings and events for people who are visually impaired, including an annual trip to the seaside.  We deliver regular ‘Seeing Life Differently Days’ for people who are coming to terms with sight loss.  We also provide Low Vision Clinics and we offer Emotional Support sessions via telephone.  We have seen a big increase in the use of IT by our service users, so we now offer IT support to our visually impaired service users.

Further information about us can be found on our Facebook page and on our website:

https://www.somersetsight.org.uk/