Reform UK’s candidate in this week’s Burnham-On-Sea South Ward by-election has said council tax rises, parking charges and anti social behaviour have been the top issues on local door steps.
The Burnham-On-Sea south ward by-election will be held on Thursday (July 10th). Laura Chalmers will stand for the Liberal Democrats, William Fagg will stand for Reform UK and Nick Tolley will stand for the Conservatives.
William says: “From our campaign in Burnham South we have consistently had issues raised about high 35% Council tax increases this year and what is being done to mitigate further increases, which they feel are inevitable.”
“Residents do not understand why it was necessary to burden the Highbridge and Burnham Council budget with extra “devolution” costs from Somerset Council. Many fear the impact of future unaffordable increases.”
“Car parking was a problem raised in the central town and on the estates where residents continue to have difficulty parking, and poor access experienced for emergency services. Residents in the town around Ashley Avenue have requested their street to be “Residents only” parking areas but have been ignored so far by the council.”
“People continue to complain about Anti Social Behaviour over a range of issues from littering, dog poo, speeding electric scooters, etc, A suggestion that a visual presence in the Town Centre with a “Bobby on the Beat” performing patrols at peak times for high visibility and randomly timed patrols could cause offenders to think again and would help act as a deterrent.”
“The introduction of proposed Parking charges for on-street parking could do significant damage to our local shops and businesses in the town centre.”
“It causes concern over the proposed 229 on-street parking bays in Burnham-On-Sea which become chargeable after an initial 20-minute free period, with a £1 hourly fee.”
“It will become harder for people to make random necessary visits and for important items such as prescriptions from the High Street chemists , Eye tests, and Dental treatment and as always it will be lower income people and pensioners who will feel the pain most.”
“If elected as a Town Councillor for Burnham South, I would do my best to address their concerns and would work across parties to try and deliver better services and value for money to all the people of Burnham South.”
