Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge Town Council Members
The Mayor
Cllr Sharon Perry - Mayor
Ward: Burnham Central
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I have lived in Burnham-On-Sea for over 30 years and am married with two grown up children.
I had a successful career in Human Resources in the NHS before having my children and later retrained to be a primary school teacher. Having taught in local primary schools for ten years, I am aware of the many challenges facing children and families today.
I have recently retired from teaching and look forward to serving our community in Burnham-on-Sea. We live in a beautiful part of the country, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. I will work with residents and other members of the council to improve our environment, maximise opportunities for all to participate in the community and take steps to invigorate our local economy.
Councillors
Cllr Mike Facey
Ward: Burnham North
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I was born in Burnham-on-Sea and grew up here. I went to school in Highbridge at St Johns and later at King Alfred’s. I have worked with the community on many local groups and as a district councillor.
Although I currently live in Bridgwater, I will always consider my true home to be Burnham where for more than 30 years I owned a plumbing & heating business that employed local people. I aim to take a hands-on civic lead to help the council & communities of Burnham & Highbridge to look to the future for continual improvement and growth.
Cllr Peter Clayton
Ward: Burnham North
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I have lived in Burnham on Sea for 35 years, and worked on Burnham’s High Street for 28 years of that as a field service engineer, visiting many homes in the area.
I have been a Town Councillor for 31 years, and also served as Mayor on two occasions. I am also a Sedgemoor District Councillor and Somerset County Councillor. I am a member on Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority, and a consultant panel member for South West Adoption.
I would like to see more attractions for our residents and tourists, as well as a vibrant town centre. I welcome more public engagement within the Town Council.
cllr kate pearce
Ward: Highbridge
Cllr Roger Keen
Ward: Highbridge
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I moved to Highbridge in the early 90’s and have lived in the Town ever since.
I have had the privilege over the years to have travelled and visited many other countries and places, and still found my way back to live near where I was born and brought up.
Highbridge has grown on me and in many ways has become part of me.
I am currently a Churchfield School governor and Chair of Trustees at the Morland Community Hub.
I believe Highbridge has a lot of potential and given the right support will grow and thrive.
I would like to be part of that process.
CLLR Lesley Millard
Ward: Burnham North
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I am a proud Lancashire lass from Manchester. I came to Bristol to train as a teacher and have been in the West Country ever since. I have worked in education for almost 40 years. When I retired as a Primary Head teacher, I was then employed by North Somerset as an Education Consultant developing Leadership and Management skills in primary schools. After that I was Chair of Governors at 2 different schools in Weston Super Mare at different times.
When I moved to Burnham I joined Berrow Conservation Group and over the last 3 years have been working with Somerset Wildlife Trust to create an annual monitoring programme on Berrow Dunes Local Nature Reserve. We also organised a conference to raise awareness of Climate Change.
I attend St Marys Church in Berrow and we have been working to support people suffering from loneliness and isolation. After listening to our community we established Berrow and Brean Good Neighbours and have set up a Community Hub and Café in each village. These have been very successful and we are now seeking to support our community by looking at how lack of local transport provision has increased isolation.
I will also raise the profile of Climate Change and Sustainability. I would also like to see improved support in the community for all those people suffering from loneliness, isolation, anxiety and depression. I will work alongside other councillors to develop and strengthen our community to ensure all residents and visitors can enjoy our beautiful environment.
CLLR Julie Flurry
Ward: Burnham North
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After moving to Burnham-on-Sea in 2011, I wanted to become involved in the local community, and, as a mum of three boys, I have volunteered at various organisations such as toddler groups and Berrow Football Club throughout my time here.
I graduated in 2018 from The Open University with a BSc in Natural Sciences (Biology) and more recently achieved an MSc in Wildlife Conservation from The University of the West of England. I, therefore, have a keen interest in the environment.
I look forward to participating in the Planning and Princess Management Committees and aim to improve the towns of Burnham and Highbridge for residents and visitors while protecting and enhancing the variety of unique ecosystems that the towns have.
- CLLR PAUL WYNN
- WARD: BURNHAM SOUTH
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I have lived in Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea all my life, and worked in the high street for over 40 years.
I aim to help make Highbridge a better place to live in, to work in, and visit by listening to its residents and to make sure their views are heard and taken into account wherever possible .
CLLR Barbara Vickers
Ward: Highbridge
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I have lived in the Burnham and Highbridge area for over 55 years. I am now looking forward to being able to serve my community.
I am a retired secondary school science teacher. I have BSc Environmental Science Degree (Hons) so naturally have an interest in using my skills and knowledge to consider our local approach to green issues.
I have also been National Chair of Gingerbread the charity for lone parent families. We have many diverse organisations and outside bodies that support our community and I welcome the opportunity to be involved with these.
CLLR Ross Baker
Ward: Burnham South
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Now I am elected as a town Councillor I will do my very best to bring all issues to the council.
I will bring all my knowledge to fight issues mentioned in my campaign.
I look forward to working with you all.
Cllr Paul Mills
Ward: Burnham Central
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Originally born and raised in the West Midlands. I moved to Somerset, settling in Burnham on Sea in February 1993, following new employment with Taunton Cider, and have lived here ever since.
I have been in a sales environment, in particular the alcohol sector, for most of my working life. This has taken me all around the country and to many foreign destinations. The one constant, is to return to Burnham on Sea; which I now consider ‘home’!
Through my eldest son, who played rugby at Burnham RFC from Under 7’s through Under 15’s. I was able to make a contribution by joining the committee and for a number of years, acting as the Mini/Junior Chairman. It was a pleasure to assist in delivering such creativity and pleasure to youngsters on a Sunday morning!
I am keen to seek to make a similar contribution, more widely within the town. I am therefore delighted to have been elected to represent the residents of Burnham Central Ward.
CLLR ALISTAIR HENDRY
Ward: Highbridge
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I have lived in Burnham since the early 80’s, my working career started with me being a plasterer that evolved into me employing 15 other plasterers for the following ten years, after that I ran a small finance company for several years then I opened a 4 star guest house for 16 years. I do believe my business acumen serves me in good stead in my Council role.
Since 2019 to the present day I served 4 years on Sedgemoor District Council & 2 years on the new Unitary Somerset Council and now since January 2024 Burnham & Highbridge Town Council. My roles at Somerset Council are the Planning Committee, Corporate Scrutiny, Axe Brue Drainage Board , Tree Preservation Committee and also Adult Social Services.
I raise money for local charities and schools. I also sit on the Highbridge Regeneration Committee with a view to enhance Highbridge for locals & visitors alike.
CLLR Catherine Searing
Ward: Burnham Marine
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Born in the North of England, I attended catering college in Blackpool and went on to have a very long and varied career in the catering industry. I’ve worked in bakeries, pubs, hospitals, motorway service areas and Royal Mail catering outlets. My jobs ranged from bar work, to chef and various management roles including personnel and training.
One of my major achievements was to win Manager of the year 2 years running.
During my career I’ve picked up many skills which would assist me in my role as a town Councillor. Skills such as sound financial planning, dealing with the general public, good communication skills, training, development, problem solving and working as part of a team.
I moved to Burnham in 1986 and have grown to love the town. Now retired I joined the Penguin Swimming Club and make and decorate cakes which I donate to local charities for their fund raising.
I am on the committee for the BAY Centre, as well as being a volunteer for the Monday Club which is based there. The Monday Club is for adults with physical and/or learning disabilities.
I am also a member of the PPG (Patient Participation Group) for Burnham and Berrow Medical Centre.
Cllr Alan Matthews
Ward: Burnham North
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I am a Chartered Certified Accountant, recently retired after operating my own practice in Burnham on Sea for 40 years. I moved from Manchester to take up employment as Chief Accountant of a manufacturing company which was based in Highbridge. I also ran both their American and Saudi Arabian operations.
I served as a voluntary Special Constable for 21 years, covering both Highbridge and Burnham on Sea. I also served as a Councillor on Sedgemoor District Council for 5 years, as well as being Chairman of Burnham Scout Group for 25 years. I have also served on school PTA’s.
I am a currently a member of the 41 Club (ex Round-Tablers) and the Rotary Club.
I use my expertise and experience gathered to continue to serve the Community as your elected representative.
Cllr Mike Murphy
Ward: Burnham North
CLLR Ganesh Gudka
Ward: Burnham Central
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I have been living in the town since 2018, having visited my wife’s family here for many years.
I am an accountant by training and I am currently the Chief Finance Officer for a group of care homes.
I am thrilled to live in a town with some great local resources, and I hope we can work together to make them even better.
I am particularly interested in exploring a more sustainable future for Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge so we can keep it a great place to live, work and play for future generations.
This is a wonderful area to enjoy the great outdoors, and you will often see me doing that as I go for a run around the many routes in town.
Cllr Benjamin Metcalfe
Ward: Highbridge
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I’ve lived in Highbridge since the late 2000s.
I’ve worked for MOD for the last few years, and maintained private IT clients in the charitable & arts sectors, a habit I picked up in London mentoring and wrangling IT for the Children With AIDS Charity between work on bigger projects.
I love the Levels and the moors above them, the seaward limestone and the constantly-changing beaches. The wide skies. Epic tides. Meteor showers. The fact that “Crook Peak” means “Peak Peak” in Old English and Wavering Down (“just a hill, but all the world to me”) rising like a legend out of the sea fog when you climb Brent Knoll at dawn in Autumn – nothing but bright mist all the way to the Tor, the Poldens, and the sea. The Brue and the Parrett flowing upstream half the day; herons and kingfishers. The Silver Island. Cleaning a grey mullet caught that morning from an open boat and carried in a cool-box on the back of the fisherman’s bike to be bought in the street like a gift of silver from the Severn.
The pubs, the Carnivals, the respect still paid to Major Foley.
The local bands and the skittles teams, the vicar who plays a mean guitar at Blues in the Pews.
The flexibility in what you might describe as “sand”.
Good coffee in a friendly indie cafe, anywhere.
The art on the walls and in the minds.
There’s so much potential here, so much good energy and talent. Highbridge particularly deserves better than “development” sites being left in ruins for years while outside interests wait for the next property boom.
I want to make the towns more sustainable in every sense and get everyone in on the act – my kid’s in school here. An entire generation needs hope for a brighter, greener future.