The Mayor
Cllr Lesley Millard - Mayor & Chairman
Ward: Burnham North
View Lesley's Profile
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.
As Mayor, I intend to support our young people to find their voice through a Youth Town Council building on the work of the previous council. 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.
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 James Warren
Ward: Highbridge
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Educated to a degree level in science, I have worked in various sectors at different levels.
I started with youth work and supporting disability groups, working with people, targets and budgets. For a while I purchased and sold materials in the construction and aerospace industries.
I have also been involved in the organisation of large scale events – from local to international.
The skills I gained are paramount in the running of an effective and progressive council, along with empathy and integrity. I am looking forward to using them for the benefit of my community for the next five years.
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 Sharon Perry
Ward: Burnham Central
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.
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 Alasdair Elrick
Ward: Burnham Central
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Honest, pragmatic and committed.
Born and raised in the Kingdom of Fife, I spent my youth split between my 3 passions: rugby, friends and history.
I grew up in Burntisland, (a town in many respects very similar to Burnham on Sea) and left at 17 to start work in London.
After the many experiences that life often reserves for us, having travelled the world as a negotiator and a Commercial Specialist (now retired), my family made Burnham on Sea our home 12 years ago.
We live at the heart of our community and, like many of us, enjoy what Burnham has to offer and reflect on how to realise a potential yet to be further developed.
Our older sons played at our ever-welcoming local rugby club which gave them the opportunity to develop their skills and the drive to commit to a rugby career.
Our youngest son loves music and, when home from Uni, looks forward to accompanying the local musicians for the Tuesday jam session at the Ritz.
Ever since I retired after a successful career, my wife, who works as Head of Department at a nearby school, challenged me to take a more active and effective role in our community and made me realise that I have the time, the capacity and the ability to play a more active role in our local community.
Thank you to all of those in the Burnham Central Ward who elected me to represent them on the Town Council. I will not forget that I represent constituents and will make myself available accordingly.
I am actively working with my colleagues in endeavouring to evaluate the various priorities and to develop a plan to implement the delivery of wants and needs to gain maximum benefit for our community.
CLLR Andy Morgan
Ward: Highbridge
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I’m a married man with two grown up children. I have been based in Highbridge for 61 years.
I have worked on the Walrow Industrial Estate for the last twenty one years. I retired last Christmas from Somerset Cuisine where we made jams and marmalades for Fortnum and Mason, Duchy and Waitrose.
I am deeply interested in the development of Highbridge and Burnham and I’m already involved in cases.
I look forward to a busy time and I’m looking forward to serving as an active town councillor.
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.
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.
