Reducing the number of Cornwall councillors by almost a third was an "erosion of democracy."

This was the view of Helston Town Council when members were asked to decide whether to support the plans of the Local Government Boundary Commission or put forward a suggestion of its own.

The commission is proposing to reduce the number to 87 - a 29 per cent reduction on the current number of elected members, of which there are 123.

It argues that a reduction would "help the council improve the way it takes decisions and sets priorities," as well as "reflect the council's ambition to transfer responsibilities to parish and town councils."

Cornwall Council's review committee has put forward a counter figure of 99 members, which Helston town clerk Chris Dawson said was closer to the 101 councillors that would be necessary for Helston to maintain two elected members - itself a reduction on the existing three.

However, councillor Mike Thomas, who is also one of Helston's three members at county level, said it was more complicated than that.

Regions in Cornwall would be split into their "community network" areas, with Helston's network currently represented by seven members. If the overall number of councillors was reduced to 99, the network would have just six representatives - and if cut to the proposed 87, there would be only five. The boundaries themselves were also likely to widen.

He said the Liberal Democrat councillors favoured a reduction to 99, while the Conservatives preferred a "much lower number." Their argument was that the Cornwall councillors would then focus solely on "strategy" matters, looking at the big issues affecting the county and its future, while the day-to-day "minutiae" would be placed into the responsibility of town councillors - something Mr Thomas said he did not agree with.

Councillor Dave Potter described any reduction of members as an "erosion of democracy", adding: "I've heard by members of this council that it's an officer-led council, which I'm appalled by as it should be a member-led council."

He suggested keeping councillors at 123 and looking at reducing the number of officers instead.

Deputy mayor John Martin urged a "consistent, strong voice," from Helston, adding: "If we have less, we dilute the resources."

But he said he would be "willing to consider" a reduction to 99, if support was given from officers.

The town council agreed to put forward this figure to the boundary review.