Just resign - that's the call to Helston Town councillors from outgoing Mayor John Boase.

He believes they have lost the confidence of the people they serve through their “bickering” and a major shake up is needed.

Mr Boase called for the whole council to stand down en-masse and hold an election, in a bid to “try and get the confidence back of these councillors.”

His call came just minutes after the announcement that he had not secured a second term as mayor after he failed to win a secret ballot.

He explained: “What I’m suggesting is the majority of this council should stand down, if not all of them, and get re-elected.

"That is my feeling, because the confidence, I believe, of a lot of the electorate in this time has been lost because of the bickering and so forth. It’s got out there. There are people who are not happy.”

His suggestion at last Thursday’s council meeting was met with stony faces from other councillors, who made no comment or decision over whether this should happen.

Moments earlier Mr Boase had revealed the result of the secret ballot held prior to the meeting, at which he had failed to receive enough votes to secure his second term in office.

This is usually a formality in Helston, which has a tradition of mayors serving two years except in exceptional circumstances.

Instead, councillor Niall Devenish – who only handed over to Mr Boase last May, after two years in the post – was nominated to become mayor once again, for the 2011/2012 council year.

The Packet has learnt that the vote was seven-five in favour of Mr Devenish, following a 25-minute discussion.

Nominated as deputy mayor was Jonathan Radford-Gaby, less than two years after he joined the council in July 2009.

These roles will be formally agreed at this spring’s mayor-making ceremony, which is usually held in middle to late May.

It is understood that Mr Devenish will only serve one year, before handing over to his deputy, Mr Radford-Gaby.

**Would you have liked to see Mr Boase serve a second term? Have your say by emailing editorial@packetseries.co.uk You can also vote in our text and phone poll.

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