North Somerset Council has warned that council tax will almost certainly need to rise above the usual government cap next year to protect essential local services amid unprecedented funding cuts. At a meeting of the council’s Cabinet today, Leader Cllr Mike Bell set out the stark financial reality facing the authority, driven by historic decisions to keep council tax lower than in similar areas, year on year reductions in national funding and sharp increases in costs and dema

Improvements have been made to bus passenger facilities at Weston General Hospital. A small transport hub has been created near the entrance to the hospital, including:  a new large bus shelter with improved seating an e-ink screen offering digital timetables and real time updates additional seating outside of the shelter and motorcycle parking facilities  This is the first of several small transport hubs being introduced throughout North Somerset, with larger transport hubs

Police Officers from from the Town Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team for Weston-super-Mare arrested a man this morning in connection with a series of criminal damage incidents that occurred at the end of November in prominent locations around Weston-super-Mare’s town centre. The suspect is believed to have used red spray paint to graffiti local businesses and public infrastructure. Avon & Somerset Police said; ” While we understand that some individuals may wish to express p

The police watchdog has reported that an 18-year-old man who exited an ambulance on a motorway was Tasered by officers before being struck by a vehicle and killed. Logan Smith, from Weston-super-Mare, died on the M5 in North Somerset late on Sunday night. According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), he was being transported to hospital when paramedics became concerned and pulled over on the hard shoulder of the northbound carriageway. Police were called afte

More than 100 people have been arrested across the South West after police forces came together to target illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation.  In total, across the South West:   112 people were arrested  More than £67,000 cash was seized  52kg of cannabis was confiscated, including 868 cannabis plants  Three guns were recovered, plus five imitation firearms  48 people were safeguarded, including five children In Weston-super-Mare, three people were arrested on susp

North Somerset Council has issued its starkest warning yet about the scale of the financial crisis facing them, with a funding gap of more than £10 million for next year and £33 million over the next four years. Years of government funding reductions combined with rapidly rising demand for services – particularly in adult and children’s social care – have left the authority with stark choices. The situation has been made more precarious by uncertainty created through governme

Tributes have been made to the man who died in a road collision on the M5 on Sunday night. The man, who has been named locally as 18yr old Logan who lived in Weston-super-Mare and was originally from Chesterfield. Logan had a passion for motorcycles and had studied plumbing at Weston College. In recent weeks he had taken to social media to voice concerns over his mental health. Ellie Cooper said; “ RIP Logan, going to miss you, thankyou for being there for me throughout the y

A man has died after a collision on the M5 on Sunday night (30 November).  Avon & Somerset Police said; “At 11.04pm the ambulance service informed Avon & Somerset Police aware that a patient had exited an ambulance that had stopped to provide further treatment on the northbound carriageway between junction 21 (Weston-super-Mare) and 20 (Clevedon) while taking them to hospital.  The patient, an 18-year-old man, was subsequently reported to be on the motorway.  An on-duty offic

The M5 is closed in both directions in Somerset following a police incident between junction 21 near Weston-super-Mare and junction 20 for Clevedon, with queues reaching junction 19 for Portbury. Drivers are urged to avoid the M5 near Somerset due to a police-led incident. A closure is now in place between Junction 20 for Clevedon and Junction 21 for Weston-super-Mare. It comes after a crash near Weston-super-Mare at around 11.05pm, Avon and Somerset Police said. Motorists ar

North Somerset Council is scheduled to have its funding from Central Government cut by a whopping £17.4m over the next 3yrs in a blow that risks crippling vital services. North Somerset Council has sought permission to raise Council Tax above the 5% maximum threshold in a bid to increase funds. If the request fails, the council will be left with no choice than to cut even more services to the residents of North Somerset. In order to plug the existing gap in finances, the coun

Weston-super-Mare AFC has received planning permission for the development of its Optima Stadium ground. The changes will include new hospitality and facilities buildings, new stands and external works to the grounds site. Image: CMS Group Oli Bliss, Weston-super-Mare AFC Chairman, said; “I am so happy that we have got this planning approval after many years of hard work. We can now focus on getting this project started, which will transform the Optima Stadium into a League 2

Little Paws Rescue has appealed for information after kittens and their mother were found dumped at a local vets. A spokesperson for Little Paws Rescue said; “ Sadly this afternoon in the downpour of rain a young tabby mum & her kittens were found dumped in a makita tool box outside Weston Vets4Pets on Milton Road. If you were the owner or know who left them please contact us. We just want to know some more information about them especially mum so we know a bit about her back

North Somerset Council have announced they are delaying the launch of an online booking system for the Recycling Centre in Weston which was due to start this year. North Somerset Council said; “ The booking system is ready to launch but with Christmas coming up, and the significant changes we’ve already made to recycling and waste collections this year, we’re delaying the booking system until early next year. Unfortunately this means queues are more likely at the recycling ce

The Met Office has issued a widespread Yellow warning for rain that includes Weston-super-Mare as Storm Claudia is due to bring pro-longed rain throughout Thursday and into the early hours of Saturday morning. Issued by the Met Office a Yellow Warning means that Storm Claudia may lead to some flooding and disruption - Spray and flooding leading to difficult driving conditions, some road closures, and some bus and train services delayed or cancelled - Homes and businesses c

Dan Aldridge, MP for Weston-super-Mare and Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hospitality and Tourism, has joined MPs from across Parliament in urging the Government to take decisive action to support pubs, restaurants, and hospitality businesses ahead of the Budget on 26 November. In a joint letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the APPG outlined the urgent need to reduce VAT from 20% and reform the business rates system, arguing that the current tax regi

An officer has been dismissed without notice after gross misconduct was found to be proven. PC Thomas West was found to have breached two standards of professional behaviour and has been barred from serving in policing again. A misconduct hearing was held between 10-11 November at Avon and Somerset Police headquarters, in Portishead, which was told that PC West had breached the standards of discreditable conduct, as well as honesty and integrity. In March 2024, PC West was ar

North Somerset Council may seek permission to push council tax above the usual 5% cap next year as it battles a £25m budget shortfall. The authority is in talks with the government over “ exceptional financial support ,” which could allow it to avoid a local referendum and impose a higher increase. Normally, councils can raise tax by 3%, with a further 2% for adult social care. Council leader Mike Bell said the council is “ doing everything we can ” to close the gap. “ That i

Every Child Needs Christmas is returning this year and the organisers need your help to create happy memories for local children in Weston-super-Mare and surrounding areas. The scheme which is run by volunteers was launched in 2013 by Sara & Khurm Arshad. Sara, who runs the popular and well known Bentley Road Bakery operating out of Wick St Lawrence and is supported by a whole host of volunteers and local businesses. Sara Arshad who created the scheme said; “ The campaign is

Road closures have now been lifted and police have left the scene after significant parts of Weston-super-Mare town centre were cordoned off whilst a Explosive Ordnance Unit attending the scene to assess a “suspicious item” contained with a bag near Weston College. Officers found the bag just before 3.30pm on West St and established a cordon to secure the area whilst the bag was being investigated. As a precaution a Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended the scene and asse

Weston Independent News has been issued a statement by Avon & Somerset Police regarding the ongoing police activity in Weston-super-Mare town centre tonight; “Police have closed West Street in Weston-super-Mare after finding a rucksack containing a suspicious item. Officers found the bag just before 3.30pm on Sunday 9 November. As a precaution, they set up a cordon pending the arrival of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit to assess the object. A 39-year-old man of no fixed