COUNCILLOR Paul Sales has resigned from Hols­worthy Town Council.

The Mayor of Holsworthy, Cllr David Smith said at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, January 7 that he had received Cllr Sales' resignation on December 23.

The Town Clerk, Mrs Clare Dalley, informed councillors that if an election is not called by January 26 the council will be able to co-opt.

Cllr Smith said: "If ten members of the public wish to have an election again and spend money they are at liberty to call an election. Failing that we, as a council, will be in a position to co-opt a ­member."

At the December meeting of the town council, councillors voted to put aside £3,600 for election expenses under their list of projects for 2009/10.

Mrs Dalley said she had recently received a letter from Jenny Cawsey, Torridge District Council's Elections Officer, stating that the election held on December 4 to fill the vacancy left by Pauline Ede's resignation had cost £1,243.10.

During last week's meeting, councillors discussed the use of polling cards during an election.

Cllr Smith said he had been "getting stick" from residents about the fact that polling cards were not sent out for last month's election, from which Cllr Bruce Priddy was elected onto the council.

Mrs Dalley explained that she had had to make a quick decision about the use of polling cards and based her decision on previous by-elections when polling cards had not been issued. She added that the cost was also a factor.

Cllr Smith questioned whether the lack of polling cards may have been responsible for a turn out of only 17.5 per cent.

However, Cllr Elizabeth Squire commented: "I don't think polling cards would have made any difference." She added: "I would prefer to see £1,000 go towards the park project rather than polling cards."

Cllr Richard Kennedy agreed: "I've talked to quite a few people who said they knew the election was on but they forgot to go and vote." He believed that polling cards would not have altered the turn out and commented: "People should keep themselves informed."

Cllr Smith proposed that for future elections the council will not use polling cards. This was seconded by Cllr Pam Johns and all councillors voted in favour.