A Burnham-On-Sea town councillor has stood down from her committee chairman’s role following a heated debate earlier this week about funding for the town’s Food Festivals.
As reported here, councillors debated on Monday whether a £2,000 grant application from the organisers of Burnham’s Food Festivals should be approved to help them run the events.
Cllr Louise Parkin claimed at the meeting that she fears the festivals are negatively impacting the trade of shops and businesses because the events are held at busy holiday times of the year – late May and October.
Last night, she said she would be stepping down from her commitee role. She explained: “At Monday’s council meeting I failed to declare an interest verbally as a businesswoman in this parish although it was declared in my official declaration of interests document and is I believe known by all council members and the majority of residents.”
“Due to this, I have formally resigned as Chairman of the Town Projects Committee and the committee itself. I stood as a businesswoman who supports local businesses and since it is not possible for me to do so I have taken the decision to resign.”
“I have told the Clerk that if she feels I have brought the council into disrepute I will resign from council with immediate effect.”
