The Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel has approved plans to raise the police’s slice of council tax by two per cent. Read this and more.

POLICE TAX: The Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel has approved plans to raise the police’s slice of council tax by two per cent.

It will mean on average an increase of £3.19 per household. Police commissioner Tony Hogg said failing to raise the figure “would have a major impact on policing” and added: “We are working hard to maintain officer numbers at their current levels.”

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RED CROSS: The British Red Cross is seeking volunteers for a scheme to help patients who have been discharged from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The charity is recruiting people to assist with household tasks, shopping, escorting people to hospital appointments, collecting prescriptions and enabling people to prepare light meals.

E-mail eswanton@redcross.org.uk

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BUTTONS PLEA: Staff at Sidmouth’s Save the Children store hope they can count on residents to donate buttons that will help educate children in Africa.

A volunteer at the outlet is collecting the items so they can be sent to schools on the continent.

They will then be used in lessons to help youngsters count.

Anyone with buttons they want to donate can pop into the Church Street shop.

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THEOLOGY: Open to Question meets again on Thursday, February 21, from 2.30pm.

‘Honest to God – 50 years on’ will be led by Dr David J Keep at Twyford House, and is open to everyone.

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EXTRA EVENT: A special ‘Tea and Toast Extra’ will be held at St Luke’s in Newton Poppleford on Wednesday (February 20) for the half term.

The event is for parents with children of primary school age and under, and will run from 3pm until 5pm.