A BURNHAM-on-Sea councillor who is spearheading a £6,000 project to 'bring the town council into the 21st century' was thrilled after it was approved by councillors.

Cllr Martin Cox, chairman of the staffing and resources committee at Burnham and Highbridge Town Council spoke to councillors at the council's monthly town council meeting on September 4 and said the council's chambers on Jaycroft Road are in desperate need of modernisation.

"It all started when after a town council meeting, I spoke to a member of the public and they said they couldn't hear everything that was being said," Cllr Cox said.

"One of the reasons for this is that half of the councillors have their back towards the public seating so I decided something must be done."

Councillors voted in favour of the project, which will see £6,000 spent on reconfiguring the committee tables, buying a new projector and eight microphones for the room and a new high tech ceiling mounted projector screen installed in the building.

Tatiana Cant, town clerk at Burnham and Highbridge Town Council said she hopes the modernisation project will help the council in its efforts to engage more with the public.

"These improvements combined should enhance the sound quality and presentation facilities and give members of the public a considerably better experience when they attend meetings," she said.

"We are trying very hard to engage more closely with the community and councillors feel this is an important investment."

As part of the project, the committee tables will be reorganised into a horseshoe shape at a cost of £800, which will face the audience and eight microphones and a roaming microphone will be installed, costing £2,600, which Cllr Cox hopes will stop poor sound quality in the chamber.

In addition, £2,600 will be spent on having a new screen installed, which can be lowered down from the ceiling and a projector fitted which the council says will assist the planning committee when they are reviewing planning applications.

The funds will be taken from the town council's Fabric and Maintenance Budget leaving them £96,000 for future works.

The town clerk says the council hopes to have the new equipment installed in time for their next meeting in October.

At the meeting, Cllr John Woodman, cabinet member for highways at Somerset County Council and Mike Murphy, chairman of Highbridge Chamber of Trade unveiled proposals for two new pedestrian crossings and flashing lights in Highbridge to improve road safety for children.

Councillors voted to approve the plans for two pedestrian crossings which will be placed on Market Street and outside Churchfield School on Burnham Road in Highbridge and said they think it will improve safety for pedestrians and children.

They also unanimously voted to approve plans for 20mph flashing lights by the entrance to King Alfred's School.