October 23, 2005
Burnham-On-Sea Liberal Democrat town councillor resigns

A Burnham-On-Sea town councillor has resigned from her post to spend more time with her family.

Liberal Democrat Joyce Smith, pictured, was the ward councillor for Burnham East.

She was elected to the post in February 2004 after defeating Conservative candidate Paul Taylor by 238 votes to 155. The Burnham East ward seat had been vacated by former Conservative Mayor Jacqui Richards in 2003.

A town council spokesperson told Burnham-On-Sea.com that local Liberal Democrats had already drawn up a list of candidates for the post and had put forward Chris Williams, a former town and district councillor.

Burnham-On-Sea Liberal Democrat councillor Cllr Hilary Rose added that Mrs Smith had decided to go due for family reasons and had felt that she could no longer give enough time to fully represent constituents in her ward.

Burnham's Conservative group said on Sunday it would be meeting later in the week to decide whether it would put forward a candidate. And the Labour group on the council is also considering its options.

Should another candidate come forward, a by-election will be called.