THE new chief executive of Bath & North East Somerset Council paid a visit to Peasedown St John.

CEO Sophie Broadfield was invited to spend a morning in the community by Peasedown St John’s Independent councillors Karen Walker and Gavin Heathcote.

As chief executive of the council, Sophie is the most senior officer and is responsible for managing the local authority’s day-to-day operations, implementing council policies, and leading staff.

Head of paid service, the CEO is non-party-political and acts as the primary advisor to elected councillors, ensuring efficient service delivery, financial management, and acts as the returning officer for elections.

Cllrs Walker and Heathcote said: “We were pleased not only that Sophie accepted our invitation to visit, but she was able to spend so much time with us.

“We gave her a tour of the village and discussed many of our community’s most pressing issues.”

Issue raised during the visit included the need for additional speed reduction measures in Bath Road, the lack of funding for essential community services like the village library, and a discussion over what more could be done to support local independent businesses during the tough economic climate.

Road safety measures along the A367 and in Orchard Way were also considered, and the need to prioritise funding for road resurfacing and replacing outdated street lights.

Ms Broadfield was officially appointed the new CEO of B&NES Council at the beginning of the year. She initially joined the council in 2021 as director of sustainable communities and previously served as deputy director of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs as well as the Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government.

The CEO will also be attending the village’s annual general meeting at Beacon Hall on Tuesday, March 31, to accept the peppercorn rent on behalf of B&NES Council.