Lyme Regis Town Council is set to consider reducing its number of councillors and the procedure to achieve it.

The news comes after the council cut its number of councillors from 16 to its current level of 14 members back in 2005.

Councillors have been asked to note a report by town clerk John Wright and give direction on how to proceed at a strategy and policy committee meeting due to take place last night, July 23.

Guidance by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) suggests that principal councils undertake comprehensive community governance reviews every 10 to 15 years.

The Local Government Act also specifies that each parish must have at least five councillors, but there is no maximum number.

The report to councillors says that if the town council or any individual or group wished to reduce the number of members on the council, they need to get a public petition of 298 electors. As of June 30 this year, Lyme Regis has a total of 2,973 electors.

The petition is then sent to the principal authority, ie, West Dorset District Council, which then has 12 months to complete a review.

Items considered when undertaking the review include population size, the impact on community unity, and whether the review will result in better democracy and more effective delivery of services.

The town clerk’s report informed councillors that the review is unlikely to be completed before the 2015 elections.