A combination of careful financial planning, alongside an innovative approach to providing services, has seen Mendip District Council deliver another balanced budget, while freezing council tax for the sixth year running. Despite further reductions in government funding, the council has protected frontline services from cuts as part of its budget for 2015/16. Full story: Read more
Government Minister officially opens the Shape Mendip Hub
A new public services hub based at the heart of the Mendip district has been officially opened by Oliver Letwin MP, Minister for Government Policy. The Shape Mendip Hub in Shepton Mallet has brought a number of leading public service providers together on to one site. It is a groundbreaking initiative that puts customers at the heart of public service delivery and aims to provide more accessible, streamlined public services while saving the council millions of pounds that can be ploughed back into frontline services. Full story: Read more
Historical Prague Inspires Budding Artists
Forty-five Strode College Art and Design students visited Prague this month to seek inspiration for their work from the culture of this vibrant and historical city. Head of Art and Design and trip leader Petrina Rochester explained: “The educational visits we offer to students make a clear and positive impact on their work, in terms of vision and ambition. Following these exciting trips, the quality of work generated by students shows that they’ve become more receptive to new ideas. I’m sure we’ll see Prague references in the students’ work in the End of Year show this June.” Full story: Read more