Holford Parish Council

04/04/2023

10/03/2023

Organisations across Somerset unite against Child Exploitation



Organisations in Somerset are encouraging everyone to learn about the signs of child exploitation and help stop abuse ahead of National Child Exploitation Awareness Day on the 18th March 2023.



The day aims to highlight the issues surrounding child exploitation, encouraging people to think, spot, and speak out against abuse, and adopt a zero-tolerance attitude to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children, or children exploiting and abusing their peers.



Child exploitation is abuse that involves the manipulation and/or coercion of young people under the age of 18 into s*xual activity, forced labour, money laundering , transporting drugs (known as county lines) or stealing.



People can help by recognising signs that a young person may be being exploited.



Signs can include:



Children missing from home or education - not knowing where a child is or who they are with
Discovering a child has been going to new places with no obvious connections
Children spending more time online and distancing themselves from family, friends and usual activities
Any child with unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, marks and a reluctance to seek medical attention
Children who have increased alcohol use, drug use or self-harm
Children with unexplained items in their possession, such as new clothing, money, phones or drugs
Sudden changes in who a child spends time with
Unusually secretive, fearful, withdrawn or aggressive behaviour
Changes in clothing personal hygiene and vocabulary


Somerset County Council has joined forces with its partners, Avon and Somerset Police and the NHS, to take part in community action days to raise awareness of the signs of exploitation with the public, community groups and local businesses ahead of this year’s Awareness Day on 18 March.



People are asked to join the campaign by writing a pledge on their hands, taking a photo, and posting to social media using the hashtags and on 18th March.



Cllr Tessa Munt, Somerset County Council’s Executive Member for Children and Families said: “I am absolutely committed to protecting children and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice.



“We all have a duty to think, spot, and speak out against abuse. Everyone can do their bit, however small, to make sure that it’s never easy for people to exploit children. By taking part in the campaign, you can raise awareness of what to look out for, and you could potentially change someone’s life. You are empowering victims to come forward and sending out a strong message to perpetrators that abuse in any form will not be tolerated.”

An NHS spokesperson said: “Abuse can cause serious physical and emotional harm to children both in the short term and the long term.”



Detective Chief Inspector Jess Aston from Avon and Somerset Police said:



“Child exploitation is against the law. It can take many forms, from child s*x offences, children being coerced in to committing criminal acts or modern slavery.



Perpetrators target children and young people, often targeting areas such as shopping centres, parks, or fast-food outlets, as well as grooming through social media and online gaming platforms. Vulnerable children, either through poverty, family or school troubles are most at risk, but the reality is it can happen to any child.



Research shows that there is no one type of abuser. Perpetrators of child exploitation can be male or female, come from any ethnic background and be any age. They may have a low social or economic status or they could be a wealthy individual in a position of authority.



Whatever the circumstance, if you notice suspicious activity or you are worried that someone you know may be being exploited or taken advantage of, always report it. Having descriptions of people involved, times, and locations can help police track down perpetrators.”



If you suspect a child or young person is being abused, report it. In an emergency, always contact the police on 999. You can also contact the Police directly by dialling 101.



You can contact Children’s Services on 0300 123 2224 and email at [email protected]



You can contact the NSPCC Helpline 7 days a week, via the website or by emailing [email protected] or calling 0808 800 5000.

If you are on a train and notice something suspicious you can contact the British Transport Police on 61016

Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or use the link below:



Give information | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)



Online issues Archive - UK Safer Internet Centre

10/03/2023

One month out: Council Plan sets priorities for new Somerset Council





With one month to go until the launch for the new unitary Somerset Council, councillors have published the priorities for the new Council. The new Council Plan was approved unanimously at a meeting of the outgoing Somerset County
Council, whose councillors will form the new Somerset Council.



The Somerset Council Plan highlights four key priorities. A further Business Plan, outlining how the Council will deliver services in support of these priorities, will be developed in the coming months.



The key priorities for the new Council are:



A Greener, More Sustainable Somerset
A Healthy and Caring Somerset
A Fairer, Ambitious Somerset, and
A Flourishing and Resilient Somerset.
In his foreword to the Plan, Council Leader Bill Revans writes that the Plan “sets out clear priorities against which we will measure all our policies and actions over the coming years. Woven through all our plans are four threads: a determination to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies; a commitment to developing a fairer Somerset; the compassion to make Somerset a healthier and more caring place to live; and the ambition to create a flourishing and resilient county.



“We are councillors because we love Somerset. I can think of no better place to live and work but we want to make it better still, and better for all the people of Somerset.”



The text of the Council Plan is available here.

10/03/2023

New Constitution: Strategic with a local focus



The new Constitution for Somerset Council, the legal cornerstone of the new unitary council, has been approved by Somerset County Council. The ten-part document - over 500 pages - sets out the Council’s commitment to public participation in its meetings, makes sure that the council meets all its legal duties and supports decision-making and governance.



The new Constitution sets out how Somerset Council will operate; how it will make decisions and the steps needed to make sure the new authority’s decisions are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.



Residents’ rights – from voting in elections, submitting petitions and attending council meetings to making a complaint or compliment, and inspecting the council’s accounts – are detailed in one section.



Council Leader, Cllr Bill Revans, said: “This has been a mammoth task. It’s important to say that the Constitution is not set in tablets of stone, nor is it an inflexible blueprint – it will be reviewed and updated as we move forward.



“One of the most important sections of our new Constitution sets out very clearly how our residents can get involved with the council, whether that’s by coming to meetings and speaking, attend their Local Community Network, suggesting topics for our Scrutiny Committees or taking part in consultations on local issues like the annual budget.”



The new constitution details the roles and responsibilities of the 110 elected members, sets out the Code of Conduct and explains the roles and duties of the Chair, Leader and Executive.



It sets out committee structures and procedures, including the planning and licensing and regulatory committees, how the 18 Local Community Networks (LCNs) will operate and the make-up of their membership, how delegated decision-making will work, as well as policies and protocols.



New committees and changes include :

a Strategic Planning Committee and four area-based Planning Committees
a statutory Licensing and Regulatory Committee and sub-committees
18 Local Community Networks
5 Overview and Scrutiny Committees
The Constitution’s ten principal sections were developed, debated and scrutinised by members of the Constitution and Governance Committee throughout the past year. Best practice in other Somerset councils was reviewed, as well as other recently established unitary authorities.

23/02/2023

Budget approved for new Somerset Council



The budget for the new Somerset Council was approved today (22 Feb 2023).



Councillor Liz Leyshon, Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Finance and Human Resources, said: “This has been the most difficult budget setting that any of us can remember. Inflation has been
a huge pressure on the cost of providing council services and post-Covid we have seen rises in demand from Somerset residents for very complex support from both Adult Social Care and Children’s Services.”



The budget confirms an overall rise of 4.99% in the council’s share of council tax, made up of a basic rise of 2.99 per cent in council tax and the 2 per cent adult social care levy. The increase is
in line with Government policy and councils across the UK that have responsibility for Adult Social Care and Children’s Services*.



The first budget for Somerset Council includes substantial increases in funding for Adult Social Care and Children’s Services by £28million and £19 million respectively, to reflect that growth in demand
and cost. The new budget provides start-up support for the Local Community Networks (LCN) and has protected funding for the voluntary and community sector.



Cllr Leyshon continued: “We have had the challenge of bringing five council budgets together into the new unitary Somerset Council. In doing this we’ve been at great pains to defend the frontline services
that touch everybody’s lives.



“We are prioritising support for our most vulnerable residents, but we have rejected options to close some of our household waste recycling centres and all of our libraries will remain open with unchanged hours. That won’t be the case elsewhere in the country, but I feel we have a contract with residents, both through council tax and voting, and they expect their council tax to be spent on services available to all. We would have not been able to do this without the savings that have come from the move to a single council.



“Of course, we know a great many residents are struggling to deal with the cost-of-living crisis. We have created a new and simplified Council Tax Reduction Scheme and in creating the new Council we have also expanded the Exceptional Hardship Scheme to the whole of Somerset and increased the funds available for people who need support for the first time, or more support with their household overhead costs.”



The Council dropped a proposal to remove funding for many parish grit bins after the option was criticised during public consultation and through Scrutiny, and will now concentrate on pilot projects
to work with local communities to improve gritting of the secondary network of roads in Somerset.



The rise in Somerset Council’s share of Council Tax is made up of basic rise of 2.99 per cent in Council Tax and the 2 per cent adult social care levy. As a result of these proposals the council tax
proposed for a Band D property will increase by £78.24 each year, or £1.50 per week.

23/02/2023

Council focuses on the bright side of the road with eco-friendly lighting



Energy efficient lighting is playing an important role as Somerset County Council works towards its 2030 carbon neutral target.



Work is underway to replace conventional street lighting with LED equipment across key towns. So far nearly 3,000 conventional lights have been replaced in Minehead, Taunton and Street during 2022.



The new lights cut energy consumption by up to 56 per cent, making this a quick and low-cost intervention with immediate effects.



Phase two in 2023 will see more communities come online with the Signify energy efficient LED street lighting, which is not only eco-friendly, but actually performs better than traditional lighting.



Somerset has been on its path to carbon neutrality since 2020, when all five councils signed up to the county’s Climate Emergency Strategy, with a commitment to working towards being carbon neutral by 2030.



Recently skyrocketing energy prices and the need for safer streets for pedestrian and highway users have raised the urgency of replacing outdated technology with alternatives that are long lasting, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.



Councillor Sarah D**e, Somerset County Council’s Lead Member for Climate Change, said: “Tackling the causes and effects of climate change and working towards carbon neutrality is about taking a wide range of measures across our services to reduce our carbon footprint.



“Whether that’s making our buildings more energy efficient, encouraging our workforce to try active and sustainable travel options or reducing waste and recycling more, every action helps our overall aim.



“Transforming how we light our streets is an essential part of this – not only are the new LED lights more efficient and cost effective, they make our streets brighter and safer and help to cut carbon emissions.”



Simon Greenwood, Sales Director of Signify UK and Ireland said: “Somerset’s LED upgrade demonstrates that lighting is an area where a relatively small change can have an immediate and far-reaching positive impact.



“Combining new and retrofit lighting solutions offers the best of both worlds, giving new life to existing lighting assets and creating major energy savings with low upfront costs and minimal disruption.”



It’s estimated that the new system has saved Somerset County Council about £157,000 so far, with further savings expected in the next few years.



Visit Climate Resilient Somerset to find out more about Somerset’s commitment to tackling climate change: Climate Emergency (somerset.gov.uk)

23/02/2023

Have your say in the School Term Dates and Holidays Consultation



Somerset's residents have been invited to have their say on proposed school holiday, term and staff training dates for Voluntary Controlled and Community Schools for the next two years.



Somerset County Council has published two separate consultations: one for the 2024/25 academic year and one for the 2025/26 academic year. Both consultations are open to the general public, but are particularly relevant to all school staff, parents and caregivers with responsibility for school age children. Academies and other school types set their own dates, but may choose to align their dates with neighbouring schools.



The consultations include proposed school holiday dates, term dates and 'inset days' (school staff training days when pupils stay at home) run from 13th February until the 17th March, with results being published in April this year.



Councillor Tessa Munt, Executive Lead for Children and Families at Somerset County Council said: "We want Somerset County Council to be a listening organisation, and for this to happen it's vitally important that everyone has their say. I'd encourage everyone to share their views and make sure we know of any issues or concerns about school term and holiday dates are raised which will help us with future planning, and ensure schools are able to consider what is best for local communities."



Inset days are set by individual schools and can vary considerably. The consultation seeks feedback on the idea that schools co-ordinate their inset days. This could help parents plan childcare and holiday arrangements, help schools work together which may save money and have more impact.

To complete the consultation for the 2024 to 2025 academic year visit: https://somerset.inconsult.uk/Termdates2425/consultationHome


To complete the consultation for the 2025 to 2026 academic year visit: https://somerset.inconsult.uk/Termdates2526/consultationHome



The consultation runs from Monday 13th February until the 17th March with results being published in April.

The Local Authority (LA) is consulting on the draft school term and holiday dates for the 2024-25 academic year which will apply to Community and Voluntary Controlled schools. Academies, Voluntary Aided, Foundation and Free schools, can set their own term dates and holidays, although most choose to....

23/02/2023

Could you support a child in care in Somerset? Route1 Advocacy in need of new volunteers



More volunteers are needed to help children in care and act as a significant someone in their lives.

For many children in care, everyone who features in their day-to-day lives is part of the care system. Somerset County Council's Route1 Advocacy service is seeking Advocates and Independent Visitors in both short and long term roles to spend quality time with them and transform their lives.

The independent visitor role involves taking a long-term interest in the life of a young person in care – something which many of them have never experienced. Trained volunteers are matched with a child in care and provide an invaluable service, one which is potentially life-changing for the young person involved, and even for the volunteer themselves.

Kate, currently a Route1 independent visitor, said:

"I love being an independent visitor. My young person and I both get to try new activities and visit new places. Being a consistent someone in a young person's life is so important, even if it is just once a fortnight for a few hours. Now my own children are grown up, I have the time to try something new which is both rewarding and good fun."

Cllr Tessa Munt, Executive Lead Member for Children and Families, said: "Before coming into care, a child or young person's experience of relationships will have often been a negative one. Being in care provides an opportunity for them to experience safety, stability and a chance to build meaningful relationships and trust.

"Having the support of a trained volunteer, whether to act as a voice for them or to become a longer term figure in their lives is such a valuable thing to these young people; and often leads to better long term outcomes that extend beyond the care system."

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Executive Lead Member for Communities, said:

"Voluntary positions with Route1 Advocacy are so rewarding; you are quite literally having a potentially life-changing impact on a vulnerable young person's life – so we are looking for the best people we possibly can.

"For some, they simply want to give their spare time and make a difference to young people who have faced a challenging start in life; for others, they may also want to gain experience in working in children's services, and these roles give incredible insight into the realities of being a child in care."

Volunteers are asked to commit to visiting their young person in care twice a month for two years. Visits are intended to be fun, supportive and to allow the child in question time to spend with someone they look forward to seeing and trust.

Those who are unable to commit to a long-term role may be interested in becoming a Route1 volunteer advocate instead. This opportunity is about assisting children and young people with having a voice at meetings about their wellbeing, where their own wishes and feelings are made clear.

Advocacy is a short-term commitment, in which new advocates attend an additional 2 days of training before being added to a 'bank' of volunteer advocates, to be contacted when needed.

Full training is provided by Route 1 Advocacy. To find out more about the roles and apply, please visit: https://volunteering.somerset.gov.uk/route1

You can also visit the page at: www.facebook.com/volunteeringatsomersetcountycouncil

Alternatively, email [email protected] or call 01823 359200 to make a difference to young people in your community.

14/02/2023

We have had reports of a man driving a pickup recently onto the hills, with a ladder and headtorch, claiming to have Natural England permisssion to collect seeds and berries to sell to garden centres. There is no such permission in place and Natural England have reported this to the landowners and the Police as driving a vehicle off road on SSSI land without permission is a crime, as is removing plant material from a SSSI without consent.

01/02/2023

Photo IDs will now be required for voting - please ensure you obtain a valid ID in advance of elections

Elections for the new Taunton Town Council take place in May – and, for the first time, residents in Taunton will need to show accepted photographic ID to vote in person at a polling station. Find out more 👇🗳
https://www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/news/check-your-voter-id-for-taunton-town-council-elections/

Somerset County Council

10/01/2023

“In 2019, the five constituent Somerset LA’s passed resolutions to declare or recognise ‘Climate Emergencies’ in their relevant jurisdictions, a move that was underpinned by the UK Government’s publication of ‘Net Zero – The UK’S Contribution to Stopping Global Warming ’ in May 2019, that aspires for the UK to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, enshrined in law through the Climate Change Act of 2008.

The Somerset Local Authorities have built on this legal foundation to aspire towards Somerset reaching the goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 in order to provide a national exemplar of good practice. The data presented here helps to provide an overview of historic and recent CO2 emissions within Somerset and will be used to support the monitoring of progress towards our carbon goal.”

In 2019, the five constituent Somerset LA's passed resolutions to declare or recognise ‘Climate Emergencies’ in their relevant jurisdictions, a move that was underpinned by the UK Government’s publication of ‘Net Zero – The UK’S Contribution to Stopping Global Warming ’ in May 2019, th...