BURNHAM and Highbridge Town Council could be moving its council chambers into the town centre, the council has revealed.

At a Finance and Resources committee meeting on Monday (July 1) town councillors backed a proposal to sell their current premises in Jaycroft Road and move to the former adult learning centre in Princess Street alongside other groups.

The former adult learning centre has been vacant since it closed in December 2017 due to central government funding cuts.

Town clerk, Samantha Winter, said she and Cllr Peter Clayton, visited the building ahead of the meeting and have held 'initial discussions' with the building's owner Somerset County Council, and Burnham Police has 'expressed an interest' in moving into the premises.

Cllr Peter Clayton said: "I like this building it is most definitely an option. There is plenty of space, plenty of rooms and parking and we would have room for the police too.

"It is a historic building which was previously the Princess School and I am all for progressing it.

Cllr Phil Harvey said he also 'keen' to see the plans go ahead and he hopes it will help the council re-explore the concept of a new town square which will provide 'a northern focus' for the town centre.

He said: "It is one of the prime sites in the town and it would enable us to have a cluster of public services based next to the library which would be an asset to the community.

Cllr Harvey also asked if the nursery, which currently uses the building, would continue to be located behind the building.

The town clerk said there are no plans to move Fair Start Nursery out of the building as it is 'a valued facility' and discussions will be held with the nursery in the future.

Cllr Nick Tolley also gave his backing to the proposals and said he thinks if the plans go ahead the council will be closer to the public.

He said: "I am absolutely fully in favour of continuing investigations to get us closer to the public.

"I love this building but it is a bit of a mystery tour to get here for some people in Burnham.

"To get out there with the public more will be great, I think this is a good thing."

Cllr Gardiner-White, said: "I agree with the sentiments set out by my fellow councillors.

"I think this is good for the town, a place where people can come together as we don't have a central place at the moment."

Councillors unanimously agreed to back the proposal and a working group made up of Cllr Tolley, Cllr Clayton, Cllr Harvey, Cllr Mike Facey and Cllr Mike Murphy, has been set up to investigate the proposals further.

The group will hold discussions with Somerset County Council and report back to the committee before the proposal is taken to full council.