Councillors have identified a number of areas that could be targeted by an upcoming health and wellbeing initiative for Burnham - including a cycle path between the town and Southminster.

Councillor Mary-Ann Munford told a meeting of Burnham Town Council last night (Tuesday, 15 February): "We are still pushing, after all these years, for a cycle path between Southminster and Burnham to encourage fewer car journeys and more exercise - especially for children."

She said: "It's been on Maldon District Council and Essex County Council's agendas for years and years, but there's no money coming forward - no action."

Councillor Munford made the comments while presenting research recently undertaken by the council's health and wellbeing working group to members.

The group is developing a health and wellbeing plan to support residents, particularly in response to the effects of lockdown, which involves researching support already available in Burnham, identifying gaps in this provision and planning how to target them.

Councillor Munford said the plan is in its "first draft stage".

She said members have been looking at improving cycle training in Burnham by liaising with the Bikeability team at Essex County Council, who run the nationally-recognised scheme overseen by the Department for Transport.

She said: "They can't do much in Burnham because they haven't got any trainers in Burnham."

The group has also been researching local foodbank operations to consider how they can be better supported, such as asking shops to place their food collection points in more prominent positions on site.

Praising the group's work, Councillor Bob Calver, deputy town mayor, said "it's so nice to see progress" on foodbank provision.

Councillor Munford told members the group has been looking at venues in Burnham for possible drop-in sessions.

She said: "There are quite a lot of isolated elderly people in the town and they don't always know where to go to get company, so we're exploring that."

The drafted health and wellbeing plan is set to be completed by mid-March so that it can be presented to the town council for endorsement.

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