A Sidmouth town councillor wants the body briefed on hot topics in the parish before anyone else in future. Read this and more.

COUNCIL GRIPE: A Sidmouth town councillor wants the body briefed on hot topics in the parish before anyone else in future. Councillor David Addis was irked the chief executive of East Devon District Council (EDDC) spoke to Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce about the possible relocation of Knowle in December.

He said to colleagues at a full council meeting last Monday: “It would be more fitting if this elected body was informed officially, rather than having to read about proposals in the press.”

EDDC’s deputy chief executive will be invited to a future town council meeting.

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ANIMAL PLEA: RSPCA bosses have urged people to think before they act after calls to the charity about abandoned animals rose for the fifth year running.

Last year, the charity took 3,555 abandonment calls in the South West.

Inspector Tony Woodley said: “Although it is tempting to blame the economic situation, we have no real idea of why the number of abandonments is increasing overall. It’s so frustrating to think messages about caring for animals just aren’t getting through to some people.”

To report a sick, injured or cruelly-treated animal please call the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.

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UNWANTED PHONES: A cancer prevention charity has called for Sidmouth residents to donate unwanted mobile phones and other gadgets to its vital research and education programmes.

World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) is offering the perfect solution for redundant and out-of-date devices – its Recycle for Research scheme.

General manager Teresa Nightingale said: “A lot of people will have received valuable gadgets like phones and MP3s over Christmas and have no use for their old devices. Instead of throwing out the old ones, by giving them to WCRF people can raise valuable funds for our cancer prevention work.

To find out more e-mail recycling@wcrf.org or call 0207 3434205.

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TREE BLIGHT: Work on a bay tree that was blocking light to properties in Glenisla Terrace, Sidmouth, cost �111 in town cash. Sidmouth Town Council paid for pollarding of the tree.

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CRIME: Police in Sidmouth have revealed 135 incidents were reported to them in the month of December.

Sidmouth Town Council heard last week how 52 crimes were recorded and there was “no emerging patterns” of offences.

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CROSSING: A faded zebra crossing on Sidmouth’s Esplanade is set to be re-marked, said highways chief Stuart Hughes.