Work to create a new Neighbourhood Plan for Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge took another step forward this week with a meeting of the project’s working group.
A meeting of the new group was attended by 15 people on Thursday (March 20th), including some residents who had not attended previous public meetings. Around 30 residents are now involved in total.
Amanda Goddard, Sedgemoor District Council’s Planning Officer, also attended to offer her advice, having helped several parishes in the area who are also preparing Neighbourhood Plans.
The meeting considered two main topics – the area to be covered by a plan and the composition of the steering group.
It has been agreed with the Town Council that the whole of Burnham and Highbridge should be covered by the plan.
It was also suggested that the Town Council’s opinion should be sought on whether to extend the area to include parts of the Burnham Without parish. If desirable, this could only proceed with agreement from Burnham Without Parish Council.
On the Steering Group, it was decided that what was needed was a group of around 12-15 people, plus town councillors, who would have specific areas of responsibility and who would be prepared for the long haul – up to two years of commitment with regular meetings and tasks to perform in between.
In addition, a wider group would be sought of people representing different sectors of the community who would provide input and feedback to the process, and the nucleus of topic groups. Cllr Chris Williams agreed to clarify the steering group roles suggested so that recruitment could begin.
The group received the good news that Sedgemoor District Council has released the £20,000 pathfinder grant to the Town Council for the neighbourhood plan process.
A working group spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com that the project is “progressing well” and that they are delighted to have the funding assigned.
At the next meeting on Thursday 24th April, as well as dealing with the progress on these items, the group will consider a draft constitution of the Steering Group and working arrangements with the Town Council.
