Council cuts could end RNLI lifeguard patrols

LIFEGUARDS at three popular Somerset beaches could be scrapped as part of a wider programme of council cuts.

Somerset Council declared a financial emergency in November in the face of a projected overspend this year of £18m and a substantial budget gap for the next financial year of £87m.

The council has published proposals to balance the books.

One of the savings proposals would see an end to the lifeguards provided at Berrow, Brean and Burnham-on-Sea beaches during the summer by the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI).

The council believes it could save £35,000 a year by not renewing the RNLI’s contract and that its own beach safety wardens would keep beach-goers safe.

A spokesman said: “The lifeguard service is provided by RNLI at Burnham-on-Sea, Berrow and Brean beaches from early July until the first week in September.

“The contract provides some additional cover in the main season to complement the council-employed beach safety wardens.

“This proposal is to cease the contract with RNLI and solely use beach safety wardens.

“Beach safety wardens currently cover beach safety from March to October and therefore there will still be beach safety controls in place throughout the whole operating season.”

Numerous other savings proposals will directly affect the Burnham-onSea

and Highbridge community, include ending the council’s own CCTV service to save £652,000 and closing five of the 16 household waste recycling centres to save £963,000 by April 2026.

No final decisions on any of the proposed savings have been made, including the selection of which recycling centres may close.

The council’s executive committee will meet in Taunton to discuss the budget proposals on Monday.

Burnham on Sea RNLI > The RNLI during a rescue at Burnham-on-Sea beach