Reform UK Strengthens Somerset Presence as Senior Conservative Councillor Defects Wednesday, January 14, 2026 reformuk somerset councillor defection conservatives localgovernment politics johncookwoodman somersetcouncil transport In a significant political shift, senior Conservative councillor John Cook-Woodman has joined Reform UK, increasing the party’s representation on Somerset Council to three members. Cook-Woodman has been a dedicated … Read More
Red Brick Building in Glastonbury Faces Possible Closure Amid Life Factory Project Collapse Tuesday, December 30, 2025 redbrickbuilding glastonbury lifefactory somersetcouncil regeneration community financialcrisis insolvency publicfunds audit The future of the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury hangs in the balance following the collapse of the Life Factory regeneration project, which squandered nearly £3 million of public funds. On December 9, Somerset Council … Read More
Forcing Somerset Reindeer Ranch to Obtain Zoo Licence is 'Nonsensical,' Says MP Thursday, December 18, 2025 reindeer somerset zoo licensing legislation domestication ruralbusiness animalwelfare somersetcouncil agriculture An MP has criticized the requirement for Somerset Reindeer Ranch to obtain a full zoo licence as “nonsensical,” warning it could threaten the future of the business. The Somerset Council recently mandated that the … Read More
£1.5 Million Upgrade to A39 Somerset Cycle Route Cancelled Tuesday, December 16, 2025 somerset cycling infrastructure transport a39 activetravel safety funding infrastructureprojects somersetcouncil A £1.5 million upgrade to a crucial cycle route along the A39 between Dunster and Carhampton in west Somerset has been cancelled because of logistical challenges. The funding was initially awarded by Active Travel England, … Read More
Somerset Council Deputy Leader Cleared of Conflict of Interest in Life Factory Project Tuesday, December 16, 2025 somerset somersetcouncil glastonbury lifefactory regeneration governance conflict councillor audit localgovernment The deputy leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Liz Leyshon, has been officially cleared of any conflict of interest relating to the troubled Life Factory regeneration project in Glastonbury. The Life Factory, housed within … Read More
‘We Got It Wrong’ on Glastonbury Regeneration, Admits Somerset Council Monday, December 15, 2025 glastonbury somerset regeneration lifefactory somersetcouncil governance audit projectmanagement funding infrastructure Somerset Council’s chief executive, Duncan Sharkey, has publicly admitted that the council mishandled the Glastonbury regeneration project known as the Life Factory. This initiative, part of the £23.6 million Glastonbury town … Read More