The timings and amount of meetings held by Helston Town Council are to change.

A decision was taken following a lengthy debate into the pros and cons of altering the existing format, which currently sees four committees meet monthly, in addition to the full council, resulting in 65 meetings on 52 separate dates every year.

In January it had been suggested abolishing the committee system altogether and returning to a earlier format of conducting all business in full council meetings, in order to cut down on office staff time and reduce the burden on councillors.

With resistance from some members, however, six different options were put together, which were discussed last Thursday.

As a result, it was a proposal put forward by mayor Mike Thomas that was successful, after each of the councillors present at last week’s meeting gave their preferred option.

This will leave full council and amenities committee meeting monthly, and the planning committee twice monthly, as at present.

However, the policy, finance and resources committee will now only meet six times a year, and the play and young people committee will be abolished, with the work split between amenities and the full council.

This would result in a total of 48 meetings a year and keep the August break.