Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge has a new Mayor this week after Mike Facey was elected by town councillors last night (Monday, May 4th).
Cllr Facey was chosen during the Annual Town Council Meeting, which was held using online video conferencing software amid the ongoing Coronavirus lockdown.
“These are strange and unprecedented times and I am under no illusions about the task ahead,” he says, adding that he is “honoured and delighted” to have been elected as Mayor and Chairman of the Council.
“I know that my time as Mayor will be full of challenges. My focus right now is to take a civic lead to help the Council look to the future at a post-Coronavirus community when we can embark on a recovery plan.”
He adds: “The Council, Town Clerk and Officers will rely on their excellent relationships with the district and county council to work together for the benefit of our towns.”
The Council thanked Cllr Andy Brewer for undertaking the role over the last year. Cllr Brewer and the Mayoress, Lorna Brewer, had attended a large number of public engagements to represent the Council.
Cllr Brewer, pictured below, gave thanks to those who supported him and said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to have served as Chairman and Mayor for the last 12 months and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“I have met some great people in our community and had the pleasure of meeting other councillors and dignitaries”. Cllr Brewer will continue to undertake the chairmanship of the Planning Committee.
Town Clerk, Sam Winter, welcomed Cllr Facey to the chairmanship position and said that she and the staff look forward to working closely with him to achieve tangible improvements to the towns, with a greater emphasis on community engagement to aid recovery post-Coronavirus.
Mike Facey was born and grew up in Burnham-On-Sea. He went to school in Highbridge at St John’s and later at King Alfred School. Mike has worked with the community in a number of key roles over many years. He chaired the Round Table for more than 15 years and was pleased to work with the carnival to help collect thousands of pounds for charity.
Mike also sat on the Burnham and Highbridge Medical Equipment Fund, set up to raise money to supply equipment to the medical centres. As an ex-member of Burnham Rugby Club, Mike was able to use his position as a county councillor to get a large grant for the club to upgrade the clubhouse.
Although Mike is currently living in Bridgwater, he says his home will always be in Burnham where he has for more than 30 years owned Mike Facey Plumbing & Heating Contractors. Mike’s Burnham-based business employs local people and Mike is pleased that he has been able to offer many full apprenticeships over the years, with some apprentices still working in the towns today.
Mike has been a town councillor for the Burnham North Ward for five years. He previously represented the Burnham-On-Sea North ward as a Somerset county councillor for 12 years from 1997 until 2009.
Other key roles elected during Monday’s meeting included Deputy Mayor Cllr Andy Hodge and Second Deputy Cllr Nick Tolley.
