Burnham-On-Sea’s MP Ashley Fox has brought together parish councillors from across the area for his annual Constituency Parish Council Summit, held this year at Woolavington Village Hall.
The event gathered representatives from parish councils across the Bridgwater constituency for a morning of briefings, questions and discussion, giving local councils the chance to raise concerns directly with their MP and share experiences from their communities.
Opening the summit, Ashley Fox thanked attendees for their service and reflected on his own eight years as a councillor. He acknowledged that smaller rural councils can sometimes feel overlooked and said he is determined to ensure they receive stronger support in the years ahead.
Among the key issues raised were concerns about weak planning enforcement by Somerset Council and the pressure of new development in villages where infrastructure is already stretched. Parish councillors also highlighted the challenges of managing growth while protecting the character of rural communities.
Guest speakers included Martin Williams from Openreach, who provided an update on broadband connectivity across rural Somerset, and Chief Inspector Joseph Piscina from Avon and Somerset Police, who spoke about rural policing and community safety.
Ashley Fox said: “I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to attend and contribute. I know just how important the work of parish councils is. They are the front line of local democracy, dealing with the issues residents see every day, and they must be properly supported and listened to. I will continue working closely with parish councils across the constituency to make sure their concerns are heard and acted on.”
