Local Somerset author revisits the characters of 1980’s pub life – New book out soon
Andrew Barnes’ Dodge City Chronicles take readers back to a Somerset of pub telephones, jukeboxes and familiar faces. Set in the 1980s, the series draws on the towns, pubs and people Barnes knew. The books are fiction, but their world is rooted in the everyday life of the local pub: old friends meeting at the…
RUH cancer patients to benefit from quicker treatment
A new immunotherapy jab which has slashed the treatment time for some cancer patients is now being offered at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust. The new injectable form of pembrolizumab, a type of immunotherapy, takes around five minutes to administer, compared to at least 30mins for an infusion, meaning that many patients…
Cleaner Bath streets as successful waste pilot could become permanent
A scheme that has helped improve cleanliness of streets in central Bath could become permanent following positive results from a 12-month pilot. Changes to business waste collections were introduced by Bath & North East Somerset Council in October 2025 to reduce the amount of waste left on streets during shop opening hours and early evenings,…
Community to help shape long-term plans for Royal Victoria Park
Residents, community groups and volunteers are being asked to play a greater role in shaping the long-term future of Bath’s Royal Victoria Park. The council wants to build on the park’s valued existing network of volunteers and community organisations by developing a partnership to create a shared vision for its future. Council leaders met some…
Peasedown housing plans come under fierce criticism
People living in Peasedown St John have ‘come out fighting’ after it was revealed that new housing plans could see an extra 1,000 homes built in their community. The village, which has grown considerably since the late 1980s, is already the biggest village in the south of England with 7,000 residents. Just recently, Bath &…
Midsomer Norton Town Council costs mount following internal audit, now external auditor refuses to certify completion
Midsomer Norton Town Council is facing mounting costs for auditing and financial support after its annual internal audit revealed widespread problems with its accounting and financial management. Now the Town Council’s external auditor has refused to certify completion of the 2025/26 audit until outstanding matters have been examined. The Town Council’s annual accounts were submitted…
Update on A36 Beckford Road and canal tunnel
Bath & North East Somerset Council is urging people to check its dedicated webpage for the latest updates on work to repair the A36 Beckford Road and canal tunnel. Last month the tunnel was affected by a structural issue identified during improvement works the council is undertaking to make the location better for walking and…
Supporting young people to stay out of the justice system
A new plan that will continue to make communities safer and prevent offending will be considered by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet next week (November 12). The Youth Justice Plan 2026/27 is a partnership commitment to preventing and reducing young people entering the criminal justice system. It aims to ensure partners will work…
Council seeks to safeguard option for new Combe Down allotments
Following a decision by a private landowner to give Bath & North East Somerset Council notice to leave Combe Down Allotments efforts to secure the site are continuing. A report before Bath & North East Somerset Council’s cabinet is seeking approval in principle for the potential future use of statutory powers – if efforts to…
Council sets out plans to tackle financial challenge
Bath & North East Somerset Council is setting out how it will tackle significant financial challenges while continuing to protect essential services and support residents. A report to Cabinet on 12 November sets out the council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy, including a savings requirement of around £14.7 million for 2027/28. The council is facing rising demand…
