bloomingyeovil

02.07.20 JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE LEADERS OF MENDIP DISTRICT COUNCIL, SEDGEMOOR DISTRICT COUNCIL, SOMERSET WEST & TAUNTON COUNCIL AND SOUTH SOMERSET DISTRICT COUNCIL IN RESPONSE TO ‘ONE SOMERSET’ AND THE FUTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SOMERSET

“We want to make it clear that the District Councils of Somerset do not support ‘One Somerset’ and the proposals for a single council for Somerset.

“The detailed work which the five councils of Somerset commissioned together clearly concluded that a single council was the wrong solution for the people and communities of Somerset.

“Somerset’s District Councils have been focused in recent months on supporting our residents and businesses through the Coronavirus crisis. This remains our priority including focusing on how we help Somerset’s communities and economy recover. However, as Somerset County Council is determined to push the debate on the future forward during the pandemic, as four districts we will now be putting our collective efforts to developing an alternative proposal. We have always said would refocus on this when the time was right.

“We know we can offer a better future for the people of Somerset that reforms local government and is ambitious for our communities and their quality of life. Somerset does not deserve the cheapest local Government. Somerset deserves the best local government.

“We will develop the best plan for the future with the help and involvement of our communities.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Local government has seen big reductions in funding from central government and that means challenges for everyone.

At the same time, the challenges our communities face require urgent attention which cannot wait.

The key challenges for Somerset communities, alongside recovering from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, are:

• High rates of children growing up in poverty and poor social mobility
• Large numbers of struggling families
• Growing numbers of older people who are increasingly living in poor health
• The climate emergency
• Homelessness and the lack of genuinely affordable housing
• The economy including productivity, skills and wage levels

District Councils in Somerset have already undertaken radical change and as a result are financially sustainable, and able to protect services to communities without making cuts. However, we recognise that further change is required in the future.

A team drawn from the five councils of Somerset, including the county council, undertook further work on the options, and we agreed the well-trodden path of a single Unitary model was not the right choice for Somerset.

Our invitation to Somerset County Council to rejoin this joint work remains open.

We will focus on a plan for widespread joint reform, that focuses on the needs of our communities.

Our aim is not to simply cut costs. Our intention is to find a way, to improve life for all residents in Somerset now and for the future.

Our communities do not deserve the cheapest local government. They deserve the best local government which will drive improvement in quality of life. 

Just as Somerset County Council, we need to be invited by the Government to submit our plan for positive change in Somerset.

If that invitation is received, we will consult with our communities on our proposals to help the people we serve, alongside partners in the NHS, police and more, shape the way our plans develop.

This will be a plan developed with our communities to create a better future for everyone in Somerset.

This statement has been released by South Somerset District Council on behalf of Mendip District Council, Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset West & Taunton Council.

Richard Birch
Lead Specialist – Communications, Marketing and Media
Strategy and Commissioning
South Somerset District Council

One of the most innovative green technology initiatives ever embarked on by a local council in the UK is live and operational.

A 25MW Battery Energy Storage facility near Taunton is providing essential power management assistance to the National Grid. It is the largest council-owned energy storage system in the UK and comes as a result of c.£9.8M of South Somerset District Council investment.

The principle is simple. Energy created by solar panels and wind farms is unstable and often wasted as at times they can produce more electricity than needed. This excess energy will be able to be stored in the facility that has been created in partnership with Somerset-based Opium Power and resupplied to the National Grid when there is high demand or a requirement to stabilise the system. 

There is a difference in the price of the electricity when bought at low demand and when it is sold at high demand, and it is this difference which provides a return on the investment, as well as contractual payments from the National Grid for the services provided by the battery system. The returns will help protect the wide range of services our communities receive from the council, as well as create opportunities to fund community projects.

Importantly, the site will also supply essential balancing services to the National Grid to help keep the power network stable and safe.

Cllr Sarah Dyke, the council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “I am extraordinarily proud that we have been able to deliver such a landmark project. The final testing phases for acceptance into the UK-distributed generation energy supply system have been particularly challenging due to the Covid-19 restrictions although, of course, we recognise their necessity to ensure the safety of workers. My thanks go to all of our business partners that have found ways of working on site through robust risk assessments to complete this project. Our council has recognised that there is a climate emergency and investing in green energy sites like this really makes a powerful statement about our commitment to making a significant reduction in our carbon emissions by 2030.”

The facility will provide 25MW of instantly available electrical power on demand to the National Grid.  This will be used to balance out fluctuating demands on the local Somerset power grid.  Peaks and troughs in demand cause under and over supply if not correctly managed – this can result in frequency fluctuations that can damage electrical infrastructure.

The facility is also being developed to be able produce up to 30MW of power by August this year.

The Council purchased the site in 2018 and has worked with local and international suppliers to ensure it is one of the most advanced of its type. This includes our partners in this project, Opium Power working with Kiwi Power, WPD (Western Power Distribution), BYD, the National Grid and BSR Group amongst others.

The project is a key part of our Commercial Strategy which will help SSDC meet its income generation targets while also aiding development in the region in the future by removing some of the electricity supply constraints which can be a barrier to further investment.

The Council continues to work with the award-winning Kiwi Power Ltd to gain advice on the energy auction markets and to optimise the battery system’s revenues with further bids for energy contracts into the future.

Cllr John Clark, portfolio holder for economic development and commercial investment added: “I am so pleased to see this site fully operational and income generating. I am excited to be part of such a forward-thinking council. It’s a hugely ambitious project and we are pleased to note that the facility, and land, is now valued at more than the project costs expended.

“We took positive action in a difficult financial climate and, as you can see, the choices we are making are the right ones for our communities as we protect services through prudent investment alongside protecting the environment.”

South Somerset District Council is the investor in the facility, Opium Power is the project manager, BYD Europe BV is the battery supplier and BSR EPC is the project roll out and connection contractor. Western Power Distribution is the local distribution network operator.

All of our project partners are delighted at the final completion of this cutting edge operation and being an integral part of this project.

David Owen of Opium Power said: “Our partnership with South Somerset has worked extremely well, and we hope that this battery system is the first of several very exciting ventures that our joint venture company will be progressing to deliver great value and profit to South Somerset.

“The UK has already accepted that we must adapt our electricity generation system to be Carbon Zero compliant by the use of renewables, and indeed the Government has legislated for it. Grid scale battery energy storage systems are the essential required component to stabilise the unstable and unpredictable power produced by solar and wind renewable power generation.”

Tomorrow, Friday, 8th May, Radio Ninesprings will be marking the 75th anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe Day’

Between 9 am and 10 am on the Steve Carpenter Breakfast Show, local historian Jack Sweet will talk about VE Day in Yeovil in 1945.
Jack was in The Borough on May 8th 75 years ago and recalls the events on that day. Also, we’ll hear the third story in our VE Day 500-word writing competition run in partnership with Yeovil Town Council and Yeovil Arts Association.

At 11 am, Radio Ninesprings will join with the national 2-minute silence proceeded by a prayer read by Chaplain, Jim Pearce.

At 3 pm, we’ll hear a siren sound the ‘All Clear’ and a lament “The Battle’s O’er” played on the bagpipes by Yeovil man, Roy Groves.

Between 3 pm and 4 pm, all the stories from our VE writing competition will be repeated and there’ll be some of the great tunes played from during and after WW2.

At 6.55 pm, Yeovil Town Crier, Bruce Trigger, will proclaim a ‘Cry for Peace’. And, to round-off the day at 9 pm, join us to hear a special message from Her Majesty The Queen, marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Radio Ninesprings – working in partnership with the British Legion, Yeovil Branch – to bring you this special coverage of VE Day 2020.

For more call Steve Haigh: 07836 246678

To hear Radio Ninesprings – local radio for Yeovil and South Somerset
Tune in: 104.5 FM
Listen Online: http://www.radioninesprings.co.uk
Listen on Smart Speakers:
say: “Alexa enable the Radio Ninesprings skill”
thereafter: “Alexa play Radio Ninesprings”
Radio Ninesprings can also be heard on Amazon TV

Recycling sites reopen Monday 11 May
Eleven recycling sites will reopen on Monday 11 May for essential visits only – in line with updated guidance – and garden waste collections will resume from the same day (see overleaf).

To ensure social distancing, protect public and staff and limit numbers, there will be a range of temporary restrictions; queues and delays are likely.

Government guidance states visits should only take place if waste cannot be stored safely at home without risking harm or ill-health, or harm to public health and amenity. If not an essential journey, please wait until sites are back to normal. Delays are likely.

Recycling sites open from 11 May: Bridgwater, Chard, Dulverton, Frome, Highbridge, Street, Taunton, Wellington, Wells, Williton and Yeovil. (Other sites due to reopen from Tuesday 26 May.)

All will be open six days a week: 9am-6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am-4pm Saturdays and Sundays; all closed Thursdays. Access is “one in, one out”, a number plate system will be used:
• Odd numbers only Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays
• Even numbers only Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays
Other restrictions include:
• Maximum two people per household
• No people with COVID-19 symptoms, or who have been asked to shield
• No large vans (3.5 tonne or heavier)
• No trailers
• Gloves to be worn outside vehicles

Only these materials will be taken:
• Refuse usually put in your rubbish bin, and bulky items, such as furniture
• Garden waste
• Large electrical items, such as cookers, fridges, TVs etc
• Hazardous chemicals, such as those from garden sheds or garages

Not taken until further notice:
• Anything involving payment, such as charged-for hardcore, soil, tyres, gas bottles or vehicle parts (compost will not be available to buy)
• Commercial waste
• Asbestos or plasterboard

Please do not take unless essential (as it will be landfilled):
• Anything usually recycled kerbside – food, cardboard, paper, cans, glass etc
• Wood, metals, small electrical items
• Plastic pots, tubs, trays, Tetra Paks

Queue cams at Bridgwater, Chard, Taunton and Yeovil can be viewed via https://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/recycling-centre-queue-cams/

Garden waste restarts Monday 11 May
Collection of garden waste restarts from Monday 11 May. Subscriptions for 2020-21 will run until mid-May 2021.

Many subscribers’ collection day and dates have changed. It’s important that people reread the letter that came with their bin sticker or check this via My Collection Day at http://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk.

Collections will only be made from 2020-21 subscribers using bins with lids closed and the correct year sticker, or in paid-for garden waste bags.

Not collected: garden waste not in official bins or sacks, non-subscribers, bins with the wrong or no sticker, bins with excess weight (if necessary, remove some material for next collection).

Contact your district customer services if you have not received a sticker or bin: http://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/contact-us/
A garden waste collection costs £55.50 for the year to 7 May 2021, while garden waste sacks are £27.50 for 10, here: www. somersetwaste.gov.uk/garden-waste-collections.

Stay safe, keep others safe
If anyone in a household has COVID-19 or symptoms of the virus, personal waste, such as used tissues, masks, gloves and disposable cleaning cloths, should be stored securely within double-bagged disposable rubbish bags. These bags should be kept separate from other waste for at least 72 hours before being put in the rubbish bin. Other household waste can be disposed of as usual.
You should disinfect waste container handles and wash hands before putting out recycling or rubbish and after taking back in containers. Please maintain social distance with any waste staff.

Make it easy with My Waste Services
Simple, free and online 24 hours a day, My Waste Services is the new no-fuss way to sort out all your recycling and rubbish needs. My Waste Services makes it quick and easy to get things done, such as ordering a replacement recycling box. Get your account now at http://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk

Somerset Waste Board
SWP’s governing body has two members from each of five partner councils, including the portfolio holder for environment: Mendip Cllrs Tom Ronan, Matthew Martin; Sedgemoor Cllrs Janet Keen, Andrew Gilling; Somerset County Cllrs David Hall, Clare Paul (Vice Chair); Somerset West and Taunton Cllrs Federica Smith-Roberts, David Mansell; South Somerset Cllrs Sarah Dyke (Chair), Tim Kerley. SWB’s next meeting is Friday 26 June; agendas and papers available via somersetwaste. gov.uk/somerset-waste-board

Information on SWP services
Visit http://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk for advice and to sign up for our e-zine. Follow @Somersetwaste on Facebook and Twitter. All partner customer services can assist with enquiries.

As the impact of coronavirus has affected our daily lives, so has it also affected the decision making at South Somerset District Council.

Councils run democratically: there are procedures to follow in terms elected councillors voting on key decisions at public meetings and when the Government first announced that we should practice social distancing, it was quickly recognised that this would affect our public meetings.

At the same time, Government urged councils to continue with as much business as possible, including supporting vulnerable groups and ensuring that important functions that have an economic impact such as planning, licensing, building control and environmental health continue to be delivered as close to normal as possible.

Have any meetings been held where you practiced social distancing?

A Full Council meeting was held on 19^th March and at this meeting we asked councillors and members of the public to ensure social distancing was observed. Committee Administrators advised all councillors over the age of 70, or those with any underlying health issues to consider if they really needed to attend the meeting.

We have a total of 60 elected councillors here in South Somerset; 27 attended the meeting.

How has SSDC overcome difficulties in making decisions whilst practising social distancing?

At the March Full Council meeting, an urgent report was presented to all councillors to transfer all decision making powers to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council (or Deputy) and the relevant Portfolio Holder, Ward Member and Committee Member if practicable as Committee meetings were suspended.

This decision was approved by councillors. The Council’s Constitution to temporarily transfer decision making to the Chief Executive was changed.

Councillors still continue to receive decision-making reports and are now meeting virtually using Zoom teleconferencing technology to debate the reports. They will form a view, including voting on matters where appropriate, which will be communicated to the Chief Executive. The decision will then be formally made by the Chief Executive (or relevant Director) – this is because current legislation states that Councillors must be ‘present and voting’ to cast their vote on an Executive or Quasi-Judicial decision.

Will using Zoom videoconferencing be the new normal going forward?

During such times as the coronavirus outbreak, the Government has indicated that they would relax the regulations which state councillors much be present at a meeting in order for their vote to count on a decision. 

So far across a three week period, we have postponed six Council meetings but we’ve been using that time wisely to train councillors in effectively using Zoom as a communication tool. With thanks to two IT experts from Yeovil College, we have successfully managed to train the majority in Zoom virtual meeting software.

When is the first Zoom Council meeting and how can I watch?

We are ready to ‘go live’ with Council meetings, with the first Informal Area South Committee meeting taking place on Wednesday 8 April at 2pm. This will run as close to the normal format of an area committee meeting as possible.

Absolutely anyone with an internet connection can view and listen in to our virtual Council meetings.

We are asking the public to pre-register their interest to speak by email to democracy@southsomerset.gov.uk. This will enable us to manage the meeting. Although this is a small change to our open meeting policy, it is not unusual for Councils to request this. 

Our Agendas on the website now invite the public to join on-line through Zoom at: https://zoom.us/join

Each meeting has an identifying number and password which are printed in the agendas and they will change for each meeting. Like this:-

Meeting ID: 775 475 691

Meeting Password: 016384

(Please note this is only an example and the meeting ID and password will be different for each meeting).

So, please join us. We will ask that you mute your microphones and turn off your video camera during the meeting to reduce background noise although you will be able to see and hear all the Councillors. 

If you have registered to speak, the Chairman will invite you to turn on your video camera, if you wish, when you speak. 

If these meetings are successful, will you continue with virtual meetings?

This depends on Government and any changes to legislation that they make. But currently as more of us are working at home, including the majority of SSDC staff, we hope the on-line accessibility of our Committee meetings will mean that more of the public will join us and become engaged with local democracy.  

The Government have now published Regulations allowing virtual meetings to become decision making, however, for a short while, as we get used to the new on-line style of meeting, they will be consultative meetings.

What about the scrutiny of decisions that are made? Does the Scrutiny Committee still perform their role?

Although we have a new temporary process for how decisions are taken at South Somerset District Council the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are still operating as usual. This Committee has a statutory responsibility to hold decision makers to account and seeks to ensure that decisions are open and transparent, based on sound and robust evidence and in the interests of the South Somerset community. 

ENDS

Notes for Editor

To view all of our news releases, please visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/latest-news

South Somerset District Council is also on social media:

www.twitter.com/southsomersetdc

www.facebook.com/SouthSomersetDistrictCouncil

www.youtube.com/southsomersetdc

For more information:

Martin Hacker, Specialist (Communications, Marketing & Media)

Tel: 01935 462130

Issued by:

South Somerset District Council Communications Team

Tel: 01935 462130

Martin Hacker
Specialist – Communications, Marketing and Media
Strategy and Commissioning
South Somerset District Council<imagebe9de4.PNG> +441935462130<image1a26e7.PNG> southsomerset.gov.uk <image71f56b.PNG> @southsomersetDC <image9f5348.GIF> @SouthSomersetDistrictCouncil<imageab1dbf.PNG>

South Somerset District Council is continuing to ensure that our communities receive all the help they need during the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes offering extra support in areas where our residents need it most.

A big addition to this extra support is the brand new pop up SSDC Wellbeing Hub which has been set up to supply food parcels and other supplies to South Somerset residents in most urgent need. The Hub is already up and running and more than 30 deliveries have already been made to residents who are shielding or who fit the criteria where they are recognised as vulnerable.

Many SSDC staff were redeployed to work around the clock to get the Wellbeing Hub in place.  The project has been led by managers from our Commercial Services team who have worked alongside our Strategic Planning Specialists, partners; including Yeovil Town Council, supermarkets (including Tesco and Co-op) and many other suppliers who have offered help and donations of which we are so grateful.  Staff from our closed venues at Westlands and the Ninesprings Café have used our catering kitchens to split down catering packs of pasta and rice to make more manageable packet sizes to go in the food boxes.

To cope with the ongoing future need, many members of staff have now moved from their usual roles to help our Connect team handle the extra calls that will be coming in to request food parcels, and our Entertainment Box Office team will be processing the orders before our Environment Service colleagues go out to deliver them. It’s all hands to the pump and everyone is doing their bit.

So how will this help you if you need to use this service? Here some questions we think might be asked.

How do I get a food parcel?

Residents who are shielding who have NOT received a food parcel from the Government and residents who are assessed as vulnerable can now call 0300 790 6275 to find out if they are eligible.

How much do they cost?

Shielded people (as identified by the NHS) will get their first food parcel free. Vulnerable people will pay a set fee depending on the size of parcel required.  £26 for a single person, £30 for couples and £52 for families of 4-5 people. This service is non-profit and delivery is free.

What is in the food parcel?

All goods are non-perishable and should give a broad choice of food needed to prepare balanced meals. The parcels also include toilet rolls, cleaning and hygiene products.

How long does it take to get a food parcel?

Most food parcels will be delivered the next day between 10am and 4pm.

If this self-isolating goes on for some time, what happens if I need a repeat order?

You can email or phone an order through to the team. Your details will have been saved making ordering and paying quicker.

How often can I order?

Box contents are built around a weeks’ worth of food, re-ordering shouldn’t be required under this time period.

Can I book a time slot?

No, deliveries will usually be next day and between 10am and 4pm.

What if I have not received a shielding letter?

Shielding letters come from the NHS. Your GP or hospital will have provided names of patients that they consider vulnerable & require shielding. If you have not received a letter and feel you should have one, then you should contact them.

If you need urgent medical advice, please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

ENDS

Notes for Editor

You can access all of our Coronavirus information here – https://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/coronavirus

You can embed a copy of our Wellbeing Hub video tour from Youtube here – https://youtu.be/jQQk0u1swV8 – if you need a downloadable version, please get in touch.

To view all of our news releases, please visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/latest-news

South Somerset District Council is also on social media:

www.twitter.com/southsomersetdc

www.facebook.com/SouthSomersetDistrictCouncil

www.youtube.com/southsomersetdc

For more information:

Martin Hacker, Specialist (Communications, Marketing & Media)

Tel: 01935 462130

Ground-breaking South Somerset District Council energy project will be ready for launch in March

Innovative work which will see South Somerset District Council at the cutting-edge of renewable energy technology is being delivered.

The Council, in partnership with Somerset-based Opium Power Limited, is creating a new 25MW Energy Storage facility near Taunton to provide essential power management assistance to the National Grid. It will be the largest council-owned battery storage system in the UK and comes as a result of £9.8M of South Somerset District Council investment.

Cllr Henry Hobhouse, the Council’s portfolio holder for property and income generation, said: “I am extraordinarily proud and excited to be able to deliver such an important project. We have a vital role to play in caring for our environment and to be able to combine this with our new commercial approach which will see us protect services and become more financially self-sufficient is a great achievement.”

The idea of battery energy storage is simple – batteries store excess energy production during periods of low usage periods and resupply it to the grid when needed at peak times. Solar and wind powered generation cannot be regulated, and batteries provide the means to store excess production for use when required.

The facility being created will provide 25MW of instantly available electrical power on demand to the National Grid. This will be used to balance out fluctuating demands on the local Somerset power grid. Peaks and troughs in demand cause under and over supply if not correctly managed – this can result in frequency fluctuations that can damage electrical infrastructure.

Since the Council purchased the site in May, a fast-moving programme of delivery began including preparing the site following negotiations with local and international suppliers. This includes our partners in this project – Opium Power Ltd working with National Grid, WPD (Western Power Distribution), Kiwi Power, BYD and BSR Connect amongst others.

During this time, the new containerised battery units have been built, tested and shipped from China by world-leading energy supplier BYD. The first batch of battery storage containers arrived in Southampton docks on Sunday 2 December and were delivered to the site a week later. Final connections and operational testing will take place in February for a ‘go-live’ operational date in March 2019.

The project will not only assist the Council’s income generation needs and contribute towards the objectives of our commercial strategy, it also meets its Council Plan commitment to promote the use of green technology. It will additionally aid development in the region in the future by removing some of the electricity supply constraints which can be a barrier to further investment.

The Council is additionally working with the award-winning Kiwi Power Ltd to gain advice on the energy auction markets and prepare it for further bids for energy contracts into the future.

Cllr Hobhouse added: “This investment project will bring regular revenue into the council to help continue to provide services to our communities as well as help the region to supply a consistent supply of green energy through the national grid for the future.”

South Somerset District Council is the investor and co-owner of the facility, Opium Power Limited will be the project manager and co-owner, BYD Europe BV will be the battery supplier and BSR Connect is the project roll out connection contractor. Western Power Distribution will be the local distribution network operator.

All of our project partners are incredibly excited about the opportunity.

David Owen of Opium Power Limited said: “The launch of this state of the art Battery Energy Storage System at Taunton is perfectly timed. It will coincide with the National Grid preparing to launch a number of new services in the emerging markets created by the System Needs and Product Strategy Consultation.

“These services will require almost instant response times, and will therefore not be achievable by other generating sources such as diesel and gas power that currently compete with battery in the marketplace.”

ENDS

Notes for Editor

Photographs show the site near Taunton being prepared as well as the battery containers with BYD in China and en route to Somerset.

South Somerset District Council intends to run a media event at the site to help launch the facility and will be in contact shortly with further details.

Question & Answers

Q. How significant will this operation be?

A. This facility is extremely significant as it represents one of the larger energy storage facilities in the country. The site can produce 25MW of power for the grid for one hour’s duration which is the equivalent to powering more than 30,000 homes. This is only phase one of the project. There may be a further phase to follow which could increase the capacity of the facility.

Q. What will the return for the investment be?

A. This investment was carried out within the approved governance of our commercial strategy. The minimum return on investment after repaying the loan and interest is 7.5%. We anticipate an Internal Rate of Return of c14% on the same basis based upon current cashflow forecasts for the battery energy storage facility.

Q. Where will this be built?

A. This site is a few miles outside Taunton and was selected as it is in a position only 75 metres from a major grid substation. It already had an approved grid connection and being so close to a connection point is highly unusual. This therefore represents a major reduction in setup and development costs. In addition, the site came with all the necessary consents and was ready to develop immediately.

Q. Who’s involved and who will operate the site?

A. Opium Power Limited will operate the site utilising the services of its technology partners BYD, MSF Technologies, Kiwi Power.

Q. Is it environmentally friendly?

A. Absolutely, a significant proportion of electricity generated from solar and wind is wasted because during windy and sunny periods there can be a large oversupply and there is no ability to store this energy. By storing excess energy in batteries, it can be resupplied to the grid when required.

Q. Why did South Somerset District Council recently have to make a short-term loan to Opium Power to cover VAT costs?

This is a complex issue. In taking forward the energy storage project, SSDC Opium Power has commissioned and sought expert advice from experienced professionals and companies at every stage of the project. This includes utilising an expert International logistics company for the importation of the batteries and seeking the advice of HMRC.

VAT is not payable on the importation of the batteries. However, procedures applied by HMRC and receiving ports have varied, we now understand. Within a few days of the batteries arriving in late 2018, the Port of Southampton advised our logistics firm that they wished SSDC Opium Power to pay the VAT before release, and then claim this back from HMRC. In seeking advice on the import procedures at no point previously had SSDC Opium Power been informed that this would be the case.

It is important to emphasise that this is essentially a procedural matter concerning importation and VAT, which are both notoriously complicated and not all of which is codified. Businesses in the commercial world are required to navigate these procedures as a matter of course and it is seen as part of normal business.

The payment of VAT in advance and the requirement to reclaim this has imposed no additional cost or delay on the project. However, given public money is involved, it is important that the Council is transparent in the use of public funds for the short term loan facility.

Other expertise commissioned to roll out the energy storage project includes:

· National Grid

· Western Power Distribution

· BYD (Battery supplier)

· and BSR Connect (experienced energy contractor)

· Kiwi Power

All of these companies have a strong track record in this field and are contributing to making the project a success.

Q. What is South Somerset District Council’s commercial strategy?

The Council is currently operating in a complex financial climate, where between 2018 and 2022, it needs to deliver savings rising to £6 million per year. This is in addition to having to cut its costs substantially since 2010.

SSDC has sustained a 70 per cent reduction in its Government grant funding since 2010 and further reductions are likely in the future whilst demand for and costs of many services continues to rise. It became clear that SSDC needed to make the most out of its assets and look for new opportunities which could generate income to protect the wide range of services our communities receive and create opportunities to fund new projects.

It has seen the Commercial Services and Income Generation team given an ongoing annual income target of £2m for commercial investment income and great progress is being made. Some of the investment will be outside of the district.

This is about making prudent financial decisions which will create significant income to get the best results for South Somerset and, where possible, supporting the local economy.

Find out more here.

An SSDC video regarding the project can be seen here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BSVeQ7kp7s

To view all of our news releases, please visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/latest-news

South Somerset District Council is also on social media:

www.twitter.com/southsomersetdc

www.facebook.com/SouthSomersetDistrictCouncil

www.youtube.com/southsomersetdc

Issued by:

South Somerset District Council Communications Team

Tel: 01935 462130

On Friday 26 October, an owl sculpture crafted as part of a three-year Heritage Lottery Funded project at Yeovil Country Park was stolen.

With over a week now gone by since the sculpture went missing, it is yet to be found with no information on its whereabouts received.

When the rangers were out on their usual litter picking and bin emptying duties, assistant ranger Matt Arnold was devastated to find that the owl sculpture had been stolen. He said “I was shocked and upset to discover the owl sculpture was missing. We installed it with extra-long screws, which couldn’t have been removed without a huge amount of force and we also put it up high on a tree, so that it was out of reach. This isn’t just a mindless act of vandalism, it is a carefully planned theft.”

The beautiful owl sculpture was just one of ten wooden carved sculptures that were produced by local Barrington-based artist Joseph Mesar. Created using wood from trees that had fallen or had to be felled due to safety reasons at Yeovil Country Park, the owl was erected at Riverside in June this year by the country park rangers.

Becky Russell, Community Ranger at Yeovil Country Park, has been the lead officer in delivering the HLF project at the country park. Becky said: “It is heart breaking when you put time and effort into creating wonderful things for everyone to enjoy in the country park, only for it to be stolen. I broke the news to our sculptor, Joseph, and he is very disappointed. He spent a lot of time creating something unique and special. The sculpture was also going to be a feature in our new ‘Art in the Park’ leaflet that is to be released later this month. Now we will have to consider if we try to find some more money to replace the owl or leave it out of the leaflet.

Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Culture at South Somerset District Council added: “It is so disheartening to think of all of the work that went into creating the owl and organising the project. The feedback on the Country Park’s Facebook page has been so supportive and we hope the owl will be returned. Many people enjoyed seeing it on their walks at Riverside and it will be missed.”

If you have any information about the missing owl please contact the rangers on 01935 462462 or email them countryside@southsomerset.gov.uk.  The rangers hope that the person who is responsible will have a change of heart and leave the owl somewhere the rangers will find it so that it can put back in the woodland, where it belongs.

 

 

Daycase UK, a subsidiary of Yeovil Hospital, has been assessed as ‘Good’ in its first ever review by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC announced the official rating today (Wednesday, 8 August), following an inspection earlier this year.

Over three days, inspectors visited Daycase UK’s services in Yeovil Hospital and Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne. The overall ‘Good’ rating was comprised of a range of individual ratings for a number of standards, including leadership, care, and the responsiveness of services.

Reporting on their findings, the CQC inspectors said staff showed an ‘encouraging, sensitive and supportive attitude’ to patients and their next of kin, and were ‘caring, respectful and compassionate’. They also said that patients and their relatives spoke highly of the care they received, and remarked on the safety track record of services.

The CQC noted that the environment sometimes comprised staff’s abilities to provide optimal service to patients, which had already been identified as area for improvement.

Alison Giles, CQC Inspection Manager for the South West said:

“This is the first time we have inspected both services since they were registered in March 2017. We found a strong leadership team that had skills, knowledge and integrity to lead the service.

“There was a culture of openness, candour and honesty amongst staff, who felt valued and empowered to suggest improvement initiatives and raise concerns if they needed to.

“There were areas where the Trust needed to take further action to improve its services and we will be returning to inspect in due course. We will continue to monitor the safety and quality of services through our continuing relationship with the Trust and our regular inspections.”

Yvonne Thorne CQC Registered Manager for Daycase UK, said:

“Since forming Daycase UK we have been continuing to focus on providing patients with good, safe care and the best possible experience and outcomes.

“Receiving the ‘Good’ rating from the CQC shows that we are getting things right. It’s testament to the skills, experience and hard work of staff that we have established such stable foundations upon which to build services for the future.

“There are always opportunities for improvement, and these reports provide us with valuable, independent insights which help to focus us on those areas where we can provide an even better service to patients.”

Daycase UK was formed on 1 March 2017, and is a partnership between Yeovil Hospital and Ambulatory Surgery International. It is 70 per cent owned by Yeovil Hospital. Last year (April 17-March 18), it carried out more than 18,000 day case procedures across both sites

To see the full Daycase UK reports, click https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/1-3256040454