John Wimperis 📰
@johnwimperis.bsky.social
Local Democracy Reporter covering Bath & North East Somerset and North Somerset // Based with @somersetlive.co.uk // #CardiffTrained // (he/him)
How did this happen and why can't the council take legal action to get out of the lease?
Read my #LDReporter story and watch my interview with council leader Mike Bell here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...
Read my #LDReporter story and watch my interview with council leader Mike Bell here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...
Weston-super-Mare car park scandal ‘the worst deal any council has ever signed’
The multi-storey is currently losing the council about a quarter of a million pounds a year — and it is locked into leasing it until 2058
www.somersetlive.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:48 AM
How did this happen and why can't the council take legal action to get out of the lease?
Read my #LDReporter story and watch my interview with council leader Mike Bell here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...
Read my #LDReporter story and watch my interview with council leader Mike Bell here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...
As the area's #LDReporter, I've written a lot about these cuts this week. But when I tried to speak to a librarian, I got kicked out of Worle Library
It turns out there is a strict “no talking (to journalists) in the library" rule
Read the story here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
It turns out there is a strict “no talking (to journalists) in the library" rule
Read the story here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
Librarians 'shushed' at work over closure and cuts plans
No talking (about council cuts) in the library!
www.somersetlive.co.uk
August 7, 2025 at 4:41 PM
As the area's #LDReporter, I've written a lot about these cuts this week. But when I tried to speak to a librarian, I got kicked out of Worle Library
It turns out there is a strict “no talking (to journalists) in the library" rule
Read the story here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
It turns out there is a strict “no talking (to journalists) in the library" rule
Read the story here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
While most libraries in the district will stay open, all will see their hours cut to some extent
The council is running a consultation on the plans until October 24 and I have gone through the cuts proposed at every library in North Somerset here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...
The council is running a consultation on the plans until October 24 and I have gone through the cuts proposed at every library in North Somerset here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...
How major council cuts will affect your local library
Three libraries face closure and all other council libraries will see their hours cut
www.somersetlive.co.uk
August 7, 2025 at 4:41 PM
While most libraries in the district will stay open, all will see their hours cut to some extent
The council is running a consultation on the plans until October 24 and I have gone through the cuts proposed at every library in North Somerset here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...
The council is running a consultation on the plans until October 24 and I have gone through the cuts proposed at every library in North Somerset here:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...
It is one of three libraries 'highly likely' to be closed as the council cuts its spending on libraries by about a fifth
The libraries in Pill and Winscombe are also facing closure, although the council says one of them could be saved if more cuts are made elsewhere
The libraries in Pill and Winscombe are also facing closure, although the council says one of them could be saved if more cuts are made elsewhere
August 7, 2025 at 4:41 PM
It is one of three libraries 'highly likely' to be closed as the council cuts its spending on libraries by about a fifth
The libraries in Pill and Winscombe are also facing closure, although the council says one of them could be saved if more cuts are made elsewhere
The libraries in Pill and Winscombe are also facing closure, although the council says one of them could be saved if more cuts are made elsewhere
I spoke about the context behind this on Charlie Taylor on BBC Radio Somerset last week
As I said on the radio, we didn't then have the full details on pay protection but we now do (see two tweets above)
As I said on the radio, we didn't then have the full details on pay protection but we now do (see two tweets above)
May 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I spoke about the context behind this on Charlie Taylor on BBC Radio Somerset last week
As I said on the radio, we didn't then have the full details on pay protection but we now do (see two tweets above)
As I said on the radio, we didn't then have the full details on pay protection but we now do (see two tweets above)
Labour and Unison have called for the decision on the new pay structure to be made by the full council — not the employment committee which is only three councillors
Independents for B&NES have called for the council workers to get a pay rise instead
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
Independents for B&NES have called for the council workers to get a pay rise instead
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
Full council should have say on council worker pay cuts, says Labour
A committee of three councillors will decide on pay cuts affecting 106 council workers tomorrow
www.somersetlive.co.uk
May 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Labour and Unison have called for the decision on the new pay structure to be made by the full council — not the employment committee which is only three councillors
Independents for B&NES have called for the council workers to get a pay rise instead
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
Independents for B&NES have called for the council workers to get a pay rise instead
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
Council workers whose pay is cut will continue to receive their current salary for three years, due to the council's 'pay protection policy'
Here's how that will work:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
Here's how that will work:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
How pay protection will work for B&NES council workers facing pay cut
'It is possible no individual will see an overall reduction in pay'
www.somersetlive.co.uk
May 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Council workers whose pay is cut will continue to receive their current salary for three years, due to the council's 'pay protection policy'
Here's how that will work:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
Here's how that will work:
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-n...
I am winding up this thread now and going to get some sleep
Thanks to everyone who's read this and to those of you who stayed up late following along last night
To round off, here's my interview with Helen Godwin, the new Labour West of England Mayor:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Thanks to everyone who's read this and to those of you who stayed up late following along last night
To round off, here's my interview with Helen Godwin, the new Labour West of England Mayor:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
New West of England Mayor says ‘It's going to be quite different’
'I don’t see it as a fight against Reform or the Greens'
www.bristolpost.co.uk
May 2, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I am winding up this thread now and going to get some sleep
Thanks to everyone who's read this and to those of you who stayed up late following along last night
To round off, here's my interview with Helen Godwin, the new Labour West of England Mayor:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Thanks to everyone who's read this and to those of you who stayed up late following along last night
To round off, here's my interview with Helen Godwin, the new Labour West of England Mayor:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...