​Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly.  You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.  Universal Credit is being rolled out to replace Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment & Support Allowance and Income Support.  The full rollout of Universal Credit is scheduled for completion in 2024.

Find out more about Universal Credit using the Universal Credit guide by visiting the Job Centre Near Me website. It covers who can apply, how to apply, how much money you can claim, a glossary to help with Universal Credit terminology and more or click on the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit 

Minehead Town Council has cancelled the Finance & Staffing Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, 12 April 2021 and the Amenities and Environment Committee meeting due to take place on Tuesday, 13 April, as a mark of respect following the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

Government Covid-19 guidelines mean physical books of condolence are unable to be opened in public places at the moment.  People who wish to express their condolences can send a message to the Royal Family via the online Book of Condolence on the Royal website.

While people may want to gather to lay flowers and pay their respects, please be mindful of the current coronavirus restrictions and consider safer alternatives, such as making a donation to charity.
​
The Duke of Edinburgh will lie at rest at Windsor Castle, in line with his wishes, before his funeral, which will take place at St George’s Chapel on Saturday 17 April.  A national minute’s silence will be held to coincide with the start of the funeral at 3pm.

To leave a message of condolence or to make a donation to charity in the Duke of Edinburgh's memory please go to: www.royal.uk/

​HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
​1921 - 2021

On behalf of the residents of Minehead and Alcombe we would like to offer our sincere condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family.

Our thoughts are with them at this sad time.

Cllr Paul Bolton
Mayor
9 April 2021

Somerset County Council
District of Somerset West and Taunton
Parish of Minehead
Temporary Closure of Mallard Road, Minehead

Somerset County Council in exercise of its powers under Section 14 (1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as amended, have made an Order prohibiting all traffic from proceeding along Mallard Road for a distance of 11.00 metres. This Order will enable Wessex Water to lay a sewer relay.  The Order becomes effective on 23 April 2021 and will remain in force for eighteen months.  The works are expected to commence on 26th April 2021 until 7th May 2021 between the hours of (00:00 - 23:59) for a total of 12 days.  Please visit www.one.network for further information on the alternative route.
For information about the works being carried out please contact Wessex Water on 0345 600 4 600 quoting the reference number ttro423979WS - WW - Mallard Road, Minehead. Patrick Flaherty
Chief Executive
Dated: 23 April 2021

For further  information please use the link below:
​https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/3-notice-2_120342105_3307948_c05e7436dc.pdf

Somerset County Council
District of Somerset West and Taunton
Somerset County Council in exercise of its powers under Section 14 (1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as amended, have made an Order prohibiting all traffic from proceeding along:

RS005846 - Irnham Road in the parish of Minehead from the junction with Friday Street and Townsend Road to the junction with Irnham Mews, a distance of 160 metres.

RS005852 – Millbridge Road in the parish of Minehead from the junction with Parkhouse Road to the junction with Millbridge Gardens, a distance of 185 metres.

​This Order will enable Somerset Highways to carry out phased preparation works and resurfacing works. The Order becomes effective on 26th March 2021 and will remain in force for eighteen months. The phased works are expected to commence on 1st April 2021.

Please visit www.one.network for further information on the alternative route. The works promoter will contact residents and business directly to discuss access arrangements. Advanced warning signs will be installed 10 days prior to the commencement of works for each closure. For information about the works being carried out please contact Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224 and quote the reference number eg: RS005846

NEW OUTDOOR FACILITIES OPENING AT MINEHEAD RECREATION GROUND, IRNHAM ROAD ON MONDAY 29 MARCH 2021
 
In line with Government COVID-19 guidance, the new outdoor facilities at Minehead Recreation Ground can officially reopen on Monday 29 March.  The facilities are the Tennis Courts, Multi-Use Games Area "MUGA" and Outdoor Gym.
 
The Tennis Courts have been completely refurbished with new coloured porous surfacing, fencing and nets.  The courts can be booked hourly in advance through the Minehead Town Council website – go to Facilities for Hire which links to the booking page.
 
The MUGA has also been resurfaced with rebound fencing.  It has 4 basketball rings and football goals.  It is free to use apart from when there are bookings for football and basketball sessions and exercise classes.  State-of-the-art LED lighting has recently been installed which will mean it can be booked for practice during winter evenings.
 
The 10-piece Outdoor Gym will also be reopening on 29 March.  The gym has all the equipment for a full body workout.  Information on using the gym is on each piece of equipment, or the user app can be downloaded from individual machines.  The gym is also free to use apart from when it is booked for instructor-led sessions.  There are currently 2 instructor-led sessions.  To book a place online go to www.activespaces.co.uk.
 
To encourage people to get active again after lockdown a 200-metre running track is being marked out on the grass below the football pitch ready for 29 March. The track is free to use for running, jogging or walking.  If you would like to start to get fit again then a "Couch to 5k" session over 9 weeks is starting on Tuesday 30 March.  If you would like to run with a social group, then Exmoor Running Together group is also organising sessions at the Recreation Ground.  If you would like to book a place on the Couch to 5k or join one of these led running sessions, go to the Exmoor Running Together Facebook page.
 
Minehead Football Club will also be restarting senior and junior practice sessions at the Recreation Ground from 29 March.
 
The new Community Hall at the Recreation Ground will not be able to reopen until Monday 17 May, but it is already nearly fully booked with a wide range of users - exercise classes, yoga, various dance groups, Slimming World, Age UK, Somerset NHS and Minehead Stroke Club.  Minehead Town Council will hold all their Council Meetings at the hall.
 
Anyone interested in booking the hall, holding a function or any information on any of the outdoor facilities should contact info@mineheadtowncouncil.co.uk or telephone 01643 707213.
   

 NOTICE OF ELECTION
 
Election of Town Councillors to Minehead Town Council for the following areas:
 
Electoral Areas                                            Number of Town Councillors to be elected
Minehead (Alcombe South Ward)             One
Minehead (Central Ward)                          Two
Minehead (Periton & Woodcombe Ward)  One
 
1.    Forms of nomination for the Town Council Elections may be obtained from West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton, TA4 4QA from the Returning Officer who will, at the request of an elector for any electoral area prepare a nomination paper for signature. Please contact Electoral Services on 01823 358692 or email: elections@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk.
 
2.   Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer, West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton, TA4 4QA by appointment only between Tuesday 23 March and 4pm on Thursday, 8th April 2021.  Please contact Electoral Services on 01823 358692 or email: elections@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk to make an appointment.
 
3.   If any election is contested the poll will take place on Thursday, 6th May 2021.
 
4.   Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on Monday 19 April 2021.  Applications can be made online: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
 
5.   Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes and amendments or cancellations of proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton, TA4 4QA by 5pm on Tuesday, 20th April 2021.
 
6.   New applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton, TA4 4QA by 5pm on Tuesday, 27th April 2021.
 
7.   Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election on grounds of a medical emergency or for work/service reasons must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton, TA4 4QA by 5pm on Thursday, 6th May 2021.  The medical emergency must have occurred after 5pm on Tuesday, 27th April 2021.  To apply on the grounds of work/service, the person must have become aware that they cannot go to the polling station in person after 5pm on Tuesday, 27th April 2021

Public Announcement
Refurbishment of Summerland Toilets
 
Minehead Town Council will be refurbishing and changing the layout of the Summerland Place Toilets (located in Summerland car park).  Work is due to start in late April 2021 and it will be completed in July 2021.
 
Unfortunately there will be disruption to this service whilst the work is carried out.  There will be one temporary unisex toilet available on the site and the toilets in Blenheim Gardens will be open.
 
Please click here to see the internal plans of the refurbished toilets

The Casual Vacancy for one Councillor in the Minehead Periton and Woodcombe Ward will be filled by co-option at the Full Council meeting on Monday, 29 March 2021.  Any resident wishing to be considered for co-option should email admin@mineheadtowncouncil.co.uk requesting an Application to fill Town Council Vacancy