While some are claiming that planning applications in South Somerset are falling behind, we reveal some surprising numbers. But is the appetite for new housing contributing to Somerset Council’s deficit? somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/more-than-ev…

Today we publish an update on our investigation into the Life Factory Project, part of the Glastonbury Town Deal, a £23.6m fund. Our work is ongoing but as things are likely to move rapidly, we thought an update was in order. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/lifeless-fac…

This week we take a look at the failure of a building for a band new SEND school near Martock. There’s a look at pay in our Councils. How much does a Chief Executive get and how does it compare locally? somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

A new national report is published documenting peat reserves. We take a look at those in the Levels and North Somerset. And there’s a whopping great row about race, immigration and asylum at Somerset Council that keeps coming back for more. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

People for Packsaddle in Frome prepare to fight their corner in a public inquiry. Crispian Steele-Perkins comes to Huish Episcopi to blow his own trumpet, literally. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

This from the FT today: “a think-tank allied with vice-president JD Vance” So many contradictions and ironies in one short phrase

This week we take a look at a famous museum that vanished. The reasons why, the history and the plans to bring it back to life. We also ask how much those plans are likely to cost council taxpayers! somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/the-museum-t…

Somerset Spotlight - No 2 Frome FM's Sam Saunders and Somerset Confidential editor Andrew Lee are joined by Somerset Cllr Helen Kay and Frome Town Cllr Steve Tanner to discuss the Selwood Garden Village proposal somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-spo…

This week we take a look at how Somerset ended up with no money from the Government’s £16bn transport hand out. The switch to digital phone lines and what it means for those, mostly elderly residents, using telephone based alarm systems. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

As a new owner takes his place at Yeovil Town, we take a look at the state of regulation of owners of football clubs and look into the business background of Mr Srinivasan. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/who-is-prabh…

Don’t miss Classical Byways this week. More music by forgotten composers who were considered leading lights in their time. classicalbyways.substack.com/p/franziska-do…

Rooftop solar, turned down in Parliament in January is now back. CPRE give us their thoughts. We’ve also got a couple of special investigative pieces on the way in the next few days for our paid subscribers – so keep your eyes peeled….. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

This week we have a brief update on the Glastonbury Life Factory -n Somerset Council answer (sort of) some of our questions. There’s a warning letter sent to a Taunton school and a fine example of a text scam doing the rounds. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

Somerset Council seem determined to prevent the great unwashed from interrupting their meetings with odious questions – we take a look at what neighbouring councils do. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

Do they know the difference between the area served by Somerset Council and the historic county of Somerset? Somerset Council apparently don't. Its not the same thing! And an over hasty MP is left with a little egg on his face somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

That #Minehead Council have paid out tens of thousands of pounds to one of their own councillors in 2022 is now well known. We've taken a longer look at what went on, the Report in the Public Interest and asked some questions that have not been asked. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/minehead-mon…

Somerset Council is short of cash. But not so short of cash that they can’t afford to spend £3m on consultants. Why are they not doing the job in house? We take a look at the details. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/more-consult…

This week as the first woman ever to lead UKHO in Taunton is appointed, we look at who she is and ask why her appointment too so long? Langport and Huish move on to the next stage in the merger process, no doubt Wells and Castle Cary will be watching. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

This week as Somerset becomes the latest council to exit FixMyStreet, the portal for reporting potholes and other road related issues, we ask why? More Police are announced for Somerset and this time it looks as if we’ll get our fair share. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

Library cuts are back in the news, we look at how the three Somerset councils are approaching the issue. Not all councils are the same…. And there’s a meeting of NHS Somerset without public questions – to discuss the accounts. Nothing to see here then! somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…