AS local authorities across England were planting trees to mark National Tree Week, East Devon District Council was chopping trees down.
AS local authorities across England were planting trees to mark National Tree Week, East Devon District Council was chopping trees down.
"They were mature trees, with nothing whatsoever wrong with them," Councillor Ron Farnham complained to a meeting of Honiton Town Council last week.
"They included magnificent poplar trees, and specialist contractors were brought in."
Councillor Farnham asked Honiton's district councillors to find out why council taxpayers' money was being spent on, what he considers to be, unnecessary work - at a time when East Devon District Council is seeking to make cutbacks to plug a funding gap. The trees, which are still being removed, lined the banks of the River Gissage, near Oaklea.
"Local money is being spent on things like this that aren't really needed," said Councillor Farnham.
The Mayor, Councillor Vivie-nne Ash, said, when the town council had raised the issue with EDDC, the town clerk was told the work being carried out was "maintenance".
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