Burnham-on-Sea and
Highbridge Town Council

Mayor’s Report September 2025

“Since the last Town Council meeting, I have attended the following events;

• Friday 15th August – I was honoured to attend the service for VJ Day 80 at the flagpole in Burnham-on-Sea.
• Saturday 23rd August – I was invited to the Burnham and District Model Railway Club Annual Model Railway Exhibition and it was amazing, I really enjoyed looking at all the exhibits.
• Saturday 23rd August – As one of my charities, I was delighted to support and attend the Hillview Junior Carnival Club fun day fundraiser, with my Consort, at the Lighthouse Pub. The event was packed and most enjoyable.
• Sunday 24th August – BARB Emergency Services Day at the Marine Rescue Centre for the dedication of the new Hovercraft with my Consort and my Cadet for the year, Able Cadet Felicity Kirby. I spoke to lots of visitors and residents alike. It was well turned out and there were lots of exhibits. The naming ceremony for the new hovercraft, the Memory of Doreen, was superb. A great day was had by all!
• Wednesday 27th August – I participated in a Hillview Junior Carnival Club fundraising raffle at the Lighthouse Pub. Local businesses and private individuals had donated prizes to me for this occasion which I took The raffle raised over £400 on the night, which will go towards the costs of this year’s carnival float.
• Monday 1st September – I attended the Waffle Hub’s 3rd birthday celebration at the Methodist Church in Burnham-on-Sea. It was well attended and I enjoyed speaking to Janet Montgomery, the High Sheriff of Somerset. I would like to thank Caroline King, CEO of the Waffle Hub and all her volunteers for all the hard work they do.
• Sunday 7th September – The last service for Reverend Martin Little at St John’s Church in Highbridge. My Consort and I thought it was a wonderful service and I wished Martin and his family all the best in his new They will be lucky to have him.

I chaired a meeting on 4th September with Chief Inspector Rebecca Wells-Cole and Inspector Jonathan Eamer and several of my fellow councillors. We raised issues relating to anti-social behaviour, theft from shops, the regular travelling community visits and the lack of police presence in the towns.

Other issues relating to the Esplanade including winter parking and lighting, which were raised by Councillor Perry when she was Mayor, are still being pursued. A meeting regarding the lighting on the Esplanade is taking place early in October.

Councillor Perry represented the Town Council at a Scrutiny Committee meeting on the 21st August and read the following statement to the Committee:

“We note, with concern, that Somerset NHS Trust is considering closing local community beds across its community hospitals. What plans does it have for beds and services at Burnham-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital?

We request that Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council and its residents are consulted about any proposed changes to the provision of healthcare services at Burnham Hospital at the earliest opportunity.”

“In the report to this committee under item 7, I see that discussions have begun

with the Friends of Burnham Hospital and “other colleagues” at the hospital. When will a wider consultation with Burnham-on-Sea residents, the Town Council and other stake-holders take place so that we can have our say on the future of our hospital? We need clarity, we need detail and we need meaningful engagement.”

At the end of the meeting, Councillor Perry spoke to Alison Rowsell, Director of Localities and Strategic Commissioning NHS Somerset ICB about their plans to establish Stakeholder Reference Groups (SRG). An SRG will involve local people to work with the ICB (Integrated Care Board) to ensure that the views of Somerset people shape the future strategic transformation of Community Hospitals. She asked her to send details of the SRGs as soon as possible to the Town Council and for this to be widely advertised throughout the community.”

Cllr. Mike Facey