The Liberal Democrats have launched a new manifesto for the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Council elections taking place next month.
Residents will be going to the polls on May 2nd to vote for their choices of candidates for both the district and town council, which Burnham-On-Sea.com featured in full here last week.
Phil Harvey, the current leader of the Lib Dems on the Town Council, said: “While people will rightly be focussed on the District Council elections on May 2nd, they should not overlook the Town Council one on the same day.”
“With local government re-organisation being actively pursued by the County and District Councils, it is increasingly likely that town councils will inherit many of the powers and duties currently held by districts.”
“If that is the case, Town and Parish Councils stand at a crossroads. Do they adopt the path of least resistance – spending little and doing little – or do they put themselves at the heart of their communities and respond to the needs of their residents? Liberal Democrats believe they should do the latter.”
He adds that in their manifesto, local Liberal Democrats have identified five strategic objectives: 1. Put the Town Council at the heart of the communities of Burnham and Highbridge; 2. Develop the cultural and economic well-being of Burnham and Highbridge; 3. Improve the environment of Burnham and Highbridge; 4. Help represent the needs of the community and help residents access services; and 5. Practise good governance and fiscal responsibility.
To do this the Lid Dems say they want to:
- Move – sell off the Council offices in Jaycroft Road, move to a central town location and invest the money received for the benefit of the two towns.
- Give Highbridge a voice – set up a working party to implement and develop the vision for Highbridge set out in the Neighbourhood Plan.
- Develop the Princess Theatre and establish a “Town Square” in Princess Street – make this the focal point of Burnham Town Centre.
- Promote healthy and sustainable communities – including a “Year of Health in Burnham and Highbridge”.
- Promote the economic life of our towns – work closely with the two Chambers of Commerce and Sedgemoor District Council to revitalise both town centres.
- For too long we have drifted – Burnham and Highbridge deserve better.
The full manifesto is online here.
Burnham-On-Sea.com will be featuring the local manifestos of other parties once these are received.
