Somerset Community and Connecting Somerset

Somerset Broadplaces is a two phase project, aiming to improve access to services for rural communities through the use of ICT and Broadband. This is a jointly led partnership between Connecting Somerset and the Community Council for Somerset.

The main aims of the project are to increase the opportunity for more people to have access to broadband in rural communities. To helping to increase usage of village halls and other community outlets – combat issues associated with the decline in rural services. As well as promoting the use of broadband, to support both businesses and leisure activities.
The project is currently ending its pilot phase where we have been working closely with four pilot villages in which we have placed ICT and broadband access. The feedback from how these villages have used their facilities is being used to help us make positive changes which will be used in the second phase of the project, the roll out.

community product box

Somerset Broadplaces will shortly be holding a number or rural road shows to raise awareness of the value of ICT and broadband and will be looking for further communities who are interested in joining the programme and receiving ICT and Broadband. If you are interested in finding out more about Somerset Broadplaces and these events, please contact Rachel Smith at rachels@somersetrcc.org.uk or telephone 01278 699140.

Current Broadplaces
South Somerset – Ilton, Winsham
Sedgemoor – Berrow
Mendip - Nunney

read about Somerset people

Somerset is a medium sized county with an area of 3450 square kilometres and a population of 498,093 (2001 Census). South Somerset has the largest population of the five districts in Somerset, followed by Sedgemoor, Mendip and Taunton Deane, which have very similar populations. The population of West Somerset is the smallest.

There are a total of 210,587 households in Somerset and the majority of those (74%) are owner occupied. Council rentals account for 7% of households in the county. The average household in Somerset comprises 2.31 people. 27% of Somerset households have dependent children and 28% are pensioners.

The county boasts quite a large cultural and heritage sector, which in turn promotes tourism on a national and international level. There are 11,500 buildings listed as special architectural or historic interest; 523 scheduled ancient monuments; 192 conservation areas; 41 parks and gardens; 36 English Heritage sites, and 19 National Trust sites. The total spend of staying and day visitors in Somerset is estimated to have been approximately £900 million.

The electorate in Somerset tend towards a higher turnout in elections than the nation as a whole. It is particularly notable that two-thirds of the eligible population voted in the last general election. Local elections across the districts had an average turnout of 33% in 1999 and 40% in 2003.

Overall Somerset has a stable and successful economy, with many economic indicators performing better than the regional and national averages. Over the last decade Somerset has maintained a steady level of economic growth, low unemployment and continuous job growth.

IT and web based training

view online resources

read about Somerset people

Somerset’s Learning and Skills Council figures point to nearly 200,000 people working in around 17,000 Somerset Businesses.

Around 17% of Somerset’s workforce is employed in manufacturing and tourism plays a major role as a whole, especially in West Somerset and parts of Sedgemoor.

In recent years the health and social care sector has seen important employment growth and land-based industries, such as farming, still has a relatively large workforce compared to other UK standards. The engineering sector contains a significant number of high-technology businesses and many of these specialise in aerospace and defence engineering.

Somerset has relatively few major employers. 90% of Somerset businesses employ fewer than 25 people and around 15% of Somerset workers are self-employed. Unemployment is usually below the national and South West regional averages.

read more about Mendip
read more about Sedgemoor
read more about South Somerset
read more about Taunton Deane
read more about West Somerset

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