In a year which has seen new governments elected on either side of the Atlantic, the Southport riots and farmers blockading Westminster, it’s easy to view Somerset as a quiet, old-fashioned backwater where nothing of significance ever happens. Those of us who are blessed to live here, of course, know that nothing could be further from the truth – and 2024 has seen its fair share of big decisions, scandals and major upheavals right here on our doorstep. So before we enter 2025 – whether stepping in with our best foot forward, or being dragged over the threshold kicking and screaming – here’s a reminder of some of the big decisions that have happened in Somerset over the last 12 months.
.. JANUARY January began on a sad note with the passing of ‘Mr Somerton’ Dean Ruddle, who had represented the town at a parish, district, county and unitary level across numerous political parties.
Later the same month, the long-awaited development of 360 homes on Canal Way in Ilminster – one of many major sites held up by the ongoing phosphates crisis – was finally granted outline permission after years of uncertainty. Over in Bridgwater, the Cross Rifles roundabout upgrades were scrapped due to Somerset Council’s financial pressures, and in Yeovil unpopular changes to the hospital’s stroke services were voted through by health bosses – with the town’s MP Adam Dance still fighting to get them reversed. FEBRUARY February was dominated by Somerset Council’s budget propo.