Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Town Council has spoken out after some residents were left ‘confused’ by an announcement from Sedgemoor District Council that it will spend £55,000 on upgrading facilities along the seafront even though a bigger project is underway to deliver further improvements.
Burnham & Highbridge Town Council Tatiana Cant says the news, which was first reported here by Burnham-On-Sea.com, would normally be welcomed since the toilets and showers in particular are in need of improvement before the holiday season gets fully underway.
However, she added that the Town Council is also busy preparing a bid for funding for the Burnham Evolution Project.
“The Town Council has been working with Sedgemoor and Burnham Chamber Of Trade to come up with proposals to enhance The Esplanade significantly with new features for children, better street furniture and lighting.”
“The project could also provide funding to refurbish the Princess Theatre to improve this facility which is already very well used by the local community.”
“The Burnham Evolution Project is completely separate from the routine plans which Sedgemoor have announced as part of their works programme.”
She added that the Town Council has been actively seeking the views of local residents and speaking to visitors at the recent Farmers Market and Food Festival.
“Over 200 responses were received. The Town Council has now collated all the responses and is in the process of preparing the business plan in order to submit the funding bids,” she said.
“The application will be considered at an extraordinary meeting of the full Town Council on Monday 18th June. It will be some time before this can be properly finalised and agreed and for the funds to be released.”
The Town Clerk has also been liaising closely with Sedgemoor District Council to ensure that the plans of the various departments at the District Council are ‘joined up’ and that the two authorities are working together without duplication and for the benefit of the town.
“These essential works are due to the poor current state of the shelters. Sedgemoor is doing the bare minimum as hopefully the Town Council will be successful with the Burnham Evolution funding bid and will be able to replace them next year.”
