Have your say

We asked your views on our draft Domestic Abuse Strategy which set out how we and our partners would prevent abuse, protect people, and support recovery.

We asked questions about how domestic abuse is responded to in Somerset to help us understand what is working well and where improvements are needed.

All responses were anonymous.

In total 131 responses were received. Almost half of these (63) were from survivors of domestic abuse.

There was strong support for the priorities identified.

Feedback received suggested a lack of awareness of some of the support services currently available.

We will be developing how we communicate better with people who need these services in Somerset.

We’re using your lived experience to strengthen the strategy. This includes reviewing how we tell you about domestic abuse support within Somerset.

The Somerset Domestic Abuse Strategy 2026-29 will be published later this year.  

We asked for views on a new charitable licensing policy because, since Somerset became a unitary authority, we needed one consistent approach across Somerset.

We received 47 responses from a range of people and organisations, including residents, elected members, parish councils, charities and other non-commercial groups.

Most respondents welcomed the introduction of a new policy and steps to support fundraising groups by modernising rules and reduce administration. 

A number of respondents asked for the council to include non-registered charities and other fundraising groups in those eligible for licences and permits.

Some respondents raised concerns about collections taking place at anti-social times of day or causing nuisance in the street.

We considered the responses and made changes to our draft policy ahead of it being presented to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee for implementation, which includes expanding eligibility, further amending proposed rules and issuing advice to applicants to address community concerns.

This statutory consultation gives parents, schools and interested parties the opportunity to comment on the admission arrangements for Somerset Council or for an own admission school or academy or trust.

11 online responses were received.

For Somerset Council maintained schools, final admission arrangements were determined by the executive board on 24 February 2026 - see Our admission arrangements.

For own-admission authority schools and academies, please refer to the individual school’s website for the final admission arrangements.