rom Monday 1 June, all 16 recycling sites will be returning to standard summer opening hours. Opening hours information will be updated on the Somerset Waste Partnership website from Monday morning.

For more information, see the attached press release and for the detail of which sites will be open when, please check the attached timetable. Note that for Frome, Taunton and Yeovil, this will mean a return to seven days a week opening.
 
From Monday, we will also be ending the odds and even number plate access system for all sites.
 
All other restrictions remain in place - no extra materials are being accepted compared to this week, max two people per household, wearing gloves, trailers and 3.5 tonne vans only between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays.
​For full update click here
​For timetable click here

Several exciting projects are underway at Minehead Recreation Ground, developed by Minehead Town Council, which will be completed in the next few months.
Building work on the new community building is continuing and due to be completed in June.  The new building – designed by Louise Crossman Architects and built by local building company QUBE – is designed to be as multi-functional as possible. The main hall has an abundance of natural light, a sprung floor, excellent acoustics, a built-in storage area and all the latest IT technology which includes built-in ceiling projector with automated screen, hearing loop and wireless/blue tooth links.  Leading off the main hall is a modern kitchen and built-in bar with cold room.  Two sets of double doors from the main hall open up on to a viewing veranda. 
To the left of the main entrance to the building are men’s, ladies and disabled toilets as well as two changing rooms, showers and officials’ room and office.  All these facilities have underfloor heating and benefit from solar panels installed on the outside garage and storage areas.  The whole building has full disability access.  At the entrance to the building from Alexandra Road car park two electric car charging points will be installed.  This is part of MTC’s ambition to promote Minehead as a ‘Green Town’.
The building is designed to be multi-use.  It will provide a home for Minehead Football Club at weekends and for midweek training.  Minehead Town Council will hold all their council meetings in the main hall.  The new building’s design means that the layout can be quickly and easily changed from an exercise class to a formal meeting or social function, training course to a whist drive.  During weekdays and evenings, the facilities will be available for use by community groups.  It is planned to hold a series of open days, when lockdown allows, to enable the public to view the new building.  In the interim any group interested in using the building should contact Minehead Town Council email: info@mineheadtowncouncil.co.uk.
Much needed refurbishment work on the tennis courts and MUGA (Multi use games area) will start at the end of May which will give both areas new porous tarmacadam surfaces, colouring, fencing and line marking.  The courts will be closed to the public for about 6 weeks and will re-open early in July. The MUGA will remain free to use; there will be a small charge to use the tennis courts which can be booked through an online booking scheme.  Details will be available on the Minehead Town Council website nearer the time.
MTC has also secured funding for an outdoor gym (which will be free to use) and will be situated next to the MUGA and installed in late June/July.  This will consist of 10 pieces of standard gym equipment (e.g. exercise bikes, cross trainers, leg press, rower, chest press, etc) but robustly built for outside use. All the machines will have instructional boards alongside showing how they can be used.  Each instructional board also has a barcode which links to an app showing appropriate workouts for all levels.  There will also be workshops organised prior to the opening to explain how interested people can get most benefit from their workout.
Once all the building work on the facilities is complete then the old football club building will be demolished later in the summer.
Paul Bolton, Minehead Mayor, said: “The refurbishment of the Recreation Ground has long been an ambition of the Town Council and has been made possible by investment by the Council which has attracted partnership funding from a wide range of organisations namely – Hinkley Point CIM Fund, Somerset West and Taunton S106 Developers’ contributions, the Football Foundation, Jewsons’ Building Better Communities Fund, the Fairfield Trust and the Clarks Foundation.  Our aim is to make the Recreation Ground a focus for active recreation in the town –  In the new hall or outside – and we hope that the planned opening of the new facilities will occur as we come out of lockdown later in the summer and give our local communities of all ages an opportunity to get active and enjoy the benefits of all our new community facilities.” 

Minehead Town Council has taken advice on re-opening the public toilets in Minehead and has agreed to open individual toilets but not communal units.

From Wednesday 13th May the following public toilets will be open to the public:

Warren Road Toilets - opposite Butlins -  open and free to use (individual toilets)
Blenheim Gardens - Two individual toilets open, at the town end of the Gardens 
Summerland Car Park - One disabled unisex toilet open (communal toilets remain closed) 

Quay West - Remain closed as they are communal toilets 
Irnham Road - Remain closed as they are communal toilets

Members of the public must still conform to the government social distancing rules at all times.

​Click below to visit the District Council weekly newsletter. This covers many topics including Committee Meetings, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership Active at Home Packs, The Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline, V E Day celebrations,  Opening of Recycling Sites, Garden Waste Collection and Business Support Grants. 
​Please click here 

A new 'friendly phone calls' service for anyone feeling down or lonely who would like a chat with someone - ring 01823 345610.
Free confidential, extended information and advice service for older people, their families and carers in Somerset and North Somerset - call 01823 345613.  For further information, support and email addresses please click here