Three candidates have declared their intention to stand in the Town Council by-election in Burnham South on 8th June.
Bev Milner Simonds will stand for the Lib Dems, Debbie Matthews is standing for the Conservatives, while Brian Hobbs will be the UKIP candidate at the election.
It comes after a vacancy arose on Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Council after April’s resignation of Cllr Paul Young, as we reported here.
Debbie Matthews said: ” I have decided to stand for the the Town Council as I believe I have the attributes to make a difference. I bring a new face to the mix with fresh ideas, and I am already involved voluntarily in several local community groups, which stand to have a huge positive impact on our local community going forward. I see that the council are bringing in measures at the moment to make the council more transparent, and with me, what you see is what you get. My professional career dictates following procedures and doing things by the book, and this will carry through to the work I will do for the community should I be elected. Whilst my career is within the tourism sector, I believe it is important the town has a good balance, between the needs of tourists, and the desires of local residents and businesses.”
“We can all say the right things, and promise the earth, but at the end of the day it is about making a difference and getting results. I am very active within our community, and I will work hard to get those results. I am Chair of the new Burnham & Highbridge Dementia Action Awareness group, and I am working towards Dementia aware status for our towns. Also on a voluntary basis I do all the social media for BIARS at our tourist information bureau, as well as West Huntspill Church, on the “Now and beyond” events committee.”
“I have a strong business background, having run hotels in Bristol and Cornwall, and in 2012 I started my own Tourism consultancy business. I am working with VisitEngland on the new accessibility guide, alongside the Alzheimers Society, to raise awareness and promote accessible, and dementia tourism. I have also delivered lectures on destination marketing, and management to Weston college, Bath Spa university, UWE, and other schools and colleges over the region.
I have also been involved in implementing practices to improve group travel tourism in to Burnham, and being part of the winning team, at the 2016 National Coach Tourism awards, for coach friendliest destination in the UK.”
“I have recently spoken to our new Mayor, and I am pleased he wants to support the youth of our towns. Having a 9 year old daughter I think it’s important our younger generation are not forgotten, and they need good facilities too. I hope to work with him on this, and help wherever I can. If elected I will do my best to achieve results, and make a positive impact in the years to come.”
UKIP’s Brian Hobbs said: “Although I am standing as a UKIP-backed candidate I do not believe that local town councils should be political, and in my case I am not ‘whipped’ or expected to follow the UKIP party line. Town Council is about representing the local people on local issues, NOT party politics.”
“Applying common sense and action in the best interest of the people that elect you, not being afraid to ask the awkward questions and simply going with the flow, I would encourage local people to get involved and be heard. It’s your Town, your Council and your Future. Speak up, I WILL listen. I don’t have all the answers but neither do the same old faces that have represented you for years. I believe in Modern, Fair and Direct Democracy, empowering local people to have a major say in local decisions. If elected I will do my very best to represent you and bring your issues and every day concerns to the table.”
Bev Milner Simonds said: “As a resident of the town I think my actions to date have shown my commitment to making the town a nicer place to live, visit and work.”
“I would like to represent the residents of Burnham South on the Town Council as I think everyone deserves a voice at a local level – someone looking out for them and what matters to them. I don’t have a slogan, I am standing because I am bothered and I want to make a positive difference.”
“The Town Council is the first point of call for many people who have an issue that needs to be dealt with by “the council” – I would be available so that I can help local residents. I am standing as a Liberal Democrat, but I am standing-up for Burnham South. In many of the decisions made at town council level party politics doesn’t have a place – is it what is best for the town that is important. I think it is important that we attract a diverse range of business who employ local people, ensure the roads and pavements are maintained in a good state and get the balance right between services for visitors and service for people who live here all year round.”
We will add further details to this page as candidates provide information
