Liberal Democrats in Burnham-On-Sea have this week unveiled their candidates to fight the Burnham Central ward in this Spring’s Sedgemoor District Council elections.
Existing Councillor Kate Lawson is being joined by Phil Harvey and Sarah Milner Simonds, pictured, in the battle for the ward.
At the last election in 2011, the Conservatives won two of the three seats in the ward with Michael Clarke (Conservative), Dennis Davey (Conservative) and Kate Lawson (Liberal Democrats) being elected.
Kate Lawson was elected to both Burnham and Highbridge Town Council and Sedgemoor District Council in 2011. She works as a support worker and is studying to qualify as a Legal Executive with an interest in Family Law. She has been working with young people to reform the Burnham and Highbridge Youth Council. She previously worked in Sport and Community Recreation specialising in Sports Coaching and Health Promotion education for Women, people with Learning disabilities, the over Fifties and disadvantaged Young People.
Phil Harvey is the Lib Dem leader on Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, where he has been responsible for a number of initiatives including the installation of solar panels at The Princess Theatre, the re-opening of the Crosses Pen public toilets during the summer months, and the setting up of the Neighbourhood Planning group – of which he is the Chairman. A retired Secondary school Deputy Headteacher, Phil was formerly a Chelmsford District Councillor for 26 years, including five as Leader of the Council. He was the inaugural Chairman of the Essex Association of Local Authorities and Vice-Chairman of the Essex Economic Partnership.
Sarah Milner Simonds is well-known as the co-founder and director of the Burnham Food and Drink Festival. She runs a social enterprise promoting land-based education and local food. She is also the consultation events officer for the Neighbourhood Planning group and a volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officer.
Announcing their candidature, Phil said: “I’m pleased to be able to put forward such a strong team in this ward. For too long Sedgemoor seems to have ignored the people of Burnham and Highbridge. We want to put this right and we promise to be at the heart of the community – hardworking, ethical, accountable, respectful and truthful.”
Residents in Burnham and Highbridge will be voting in the town, district and general election on Thursday 7th May, 2015.
Candidates for the other parties and wards are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
