SIDMOUTH Town Council will reconvene on Monday minus four members and welcoming only one new addition.

SIDMOUTH Town Council will reconvene on Monday minus four members and will welcome only one new addition.

A quartet of councillors have relinquished their roles and paid tribute to the hard work of colleagues.

No election was needed to decide the composition of the council on May 5 as every existing town councillor, who chose to stand for re-election, was returned unopposed.

Chris Gibbings, who spent six years as a town ward district councillor and longer on the town council as a South ward representative, stepped down from both authorities as he wants to spend more time with his family.

The 67-year-old, also the outgoing licensing committee chairman at Knowle, said: “Its time for someone else to have a go.

“I was disappointed not one single town council seat was contested and three were left empty.”

Sylvia Carr, North ward representative of four years, also stood down and said: “I think perhaps a younger person might enjoy the challenge.

“I was pleasantly surprised how much they do on the council and how much they love Sidmouth. I went in not very hopeful I would be happy, but enjoyed every minute. “They were all so hard working. I’m certainly not a sceptic now.”

She praised the town council clerk and her staff for their hard work.

Dr Dilly Fung, a Primley ward representative of two years says work commitments called time on her councillor duties.

She said: “It’s been an honour and privilege. Council members have proven themselves as being very dedicated and genuinely committed to the good of the town. As someone who grew up in Sidmouth, that’s very gratifying.”

Tony Reed relinquished his role as Salcombe Regis ward representative. The council will welcome Dawn Manley as a North ward new addition.