Powrót do mapki Somerset
Uwaga: jeżeli potrzebujesz polską wersję poniższego tekstu, skontaktuj się z Urzędem South Somerset.
What do you know about Area Working in South Somerset?
South Somerset is one of the largest district councils in the country, which is why we go the extra mile to ensure we remain close to the communities we serve. The District is divided into 4 ‘Areas’, referred to as North, South, East and West. Each has an Area Committee and Area Development Team. These are supported by community offices; located across South Somerset.
Community Offices
The rural nature of South Somerset makes it difficult for many people to come to visit a central council office. Over 10 years ago, SSDC set up 10 local offices as a gateway to local government services – whether they be delivered by town, district or county council. There are local offices located in; Bruton, Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, Langport, Somerset, Wincanton and Yeovil.
Over the years, the Community Offices have evolved with most, providing tourist information and acting as a focus for local voluntary or leisure groups and activities.
The Area Development Team
The team consists of Head of Service for Area Development, a Community Development Officer, a Community Regeneration Officer and a Project Support Worker. As a team they support a range of activities including the development of community plans and social, economic and environmental projects driven by the community.
Area Committees
South Somerset has been developing models of local governance since 1991 when it set up four area committees to make “local decisions on local issues at local meetings”.
The Committees are made up of all the ward members in each area and are supported by the Area Development Team. They seek to:
Strengthen the links between the Council and its local communities
Provide community leadership and engagement at a local level
Area Committees meet monthly in local venues such as village halls. Each Area Committee has an Area Development (Service) Plan, with meeting agendas being divided into two parts – planning applications and other business including community issues, allocation of funding to support local projects (each Area Committee has its own delegated budget), and presentations from local partners. Area Committee meetings are open to the public, as well as representatives from local town and parish councils who are able to address the meeting on any agenda item, including planning, or raise other issues under the Open Session.
A real strength is elected members being naturally a-political in this arena, prepared to do the best for the neighbourhood, the Area and the Council as a whole. The four Area Chairmen sit on the Council Executive Committee, ensuring that local communities influence strategic priorities, and that SSDC priorities are owned and delivered at the local level. “
The Area Portfolio includes:
Local regeneration, streetscene and community safety
Local consultation and community engagement
The Area Development (Service) Plan
Community Plans
Quality of the local built environment and Development Control
Parish liaison
Local partnerships
Discretionary grants and local projects
Bruton
Dovecote Building, 26 High Street, Bruton, BA10 0AA.
Provides information on District, County and Parish issues. Advice given on Welfare Benefits and tourism.
Opening times:
Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri 9.30am - 12.30pm
Office also staffed by Town Council on Thurs 10.00am - 12.00pm
Brympton Way, Yeovil
The Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2HT
Head office of the Council. Provides information on District, County and Parish issues. Advice given on Welfare Benefits.
Opening times:
Mon - Thurs 8.30am - 5.15pm and Fri 8.30am - 4.45pm
Castle Cary
Castle Cary Community Office, The Market House, Castle Cary, BA7 7AG
Provides information on District, County and Parish issues. Advice given on Welfare Benefits and tourism.
Opening times:
Weds and Thurs 9.30am - 12.30am
Chard
Holyrood Lace Mill, Holyrood Street, Chard, TA20 2YA
Provides information on District, County and Parish issues. Advice given on Welfare Benefits. Forms received and checked for council tax benefit, housing benefit, housing applications and bus passes. Payment collection service.
Opening times:
Mon - Thurs 9am to 5pm and Fri 9am to 4.45pm
Crewkerne
Town Hall, Market Square, CREWKERNE, TA18 7LN
Provides information on District, County and Parish council issues. Advice given on Welfare Benefits and tourism.
Opening times:
Mon, Tues, Wed 9.00am to 1.00pm, 1.30pm to 5.00pm
Thurs 9.00am - 1.00pm
Fri 9.00am to 1.00pm, 1.30pm to 4.00pm.
Ilminster
Ilminster Community Office, North Street, Ilminster, TA19 0DG
Provides information on District, County and Parish council issues. Advice given on Welfare Benefits. Forms received and checked for council tax benefit, housing benefit, housing applications and bus passes.
Opening times:
Tues and Thurs - 9am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4.45pm.
Langport
Langport Area Office, Old Kelways, Somerton Road, Langport, TA10 9YE
Provides information on District, County and Parish issues. Advice given on Welfare Benefits and tourism.
Opening times:
Mon - Thurs 9am - 5pm and Fri 9am - 4.45pm.
Petters House, Yeovil
Petters House, Petters Way, Yeovil, BA20 1EA
Provides information on District, County and Parish issues. Advice given on Welfare Benefits. Payment collection service.
Opening times:
Mon - Thurs - 8.45am - 5pm and Fri 8.45am - 4.45pm.
Somerton
Parish Rooms, Market Place, SOMERTON, TA11 7NB
Provides information on District, County and Parish issues. Advice given on Welfare Benefits and tourism.
Opening times:
Mon to Fri 9am - 12 noon
Wincanton
Area Office, Churchfield, Wincanton, BA9 9AG
Provides information on District, County and Parish issues. Advice given on Welfare Benefits and tourism.
Opening times:
Mon - Thurs 9am - 5pm and Fri 9am - 4.45pm
For more information contact your local Area Office or Area Development Team on 01935 462462, stating where you live.
