Tessa Munt MP condemns total withdrawal of 490 bus service

Tessa was extremely disappointed to learn that Somerset County Council has refused to listen to the concerns of local people and has decided to withdraw all funding for the 490 bus service which runs every Tuesday morning between Cheddar and Bristol.

After completing his ‘consultation process’, the Cabinet Member responsible for public transport, County Councillor Harvey Siggs, confirmed the withdrawal of this service. The 490 bus stops running on 22nd May. Read the rest of this entry »

Tessa Munt MP condemns County Council mental health services cuts

Tessa has raised her deep concerns about Somerset County Council’s proposals to replace long established day care services for patients suffering with mental health problems with a “10 week self-management programme”.

The Conservative Leader of the County Council favours self-management programmes which involve group based activities designed to help people manage their own mental health problems and believes self-management will instil patients with the confidence they need to get involved in local community groups. Tessa is extremely concerned that, despite claiming to have undergone an extensive consultation process and listening to people’s views, the Council is failing to appreciate the implications this cut may have.  Read the rest of this entry »