Councillor numbers in Elmbridge could be reduced after members voted for a Boundary Commission review.

Currently 60 councillors serve on Elmbridge Council, making it the largest council in Surrey.

Guildford Council, which covers a larger electorate, has 48 councillors, while Surrey County Council has 80 councillors.

Discussing the idea at a full council meeting on Wednesday, April 10, council leader John O’Reilly said he hoped councillors could agree unanimously.

He said: “After 35 years of 60 members I think it is right to have an independent look. Over the last generation there have been quite significant changes. There have been reductions in what the borough council actually does.”

Coun O’Reilly said: “It will be up to the review panel to consider how many councillors is the right number. It is not for the council itself to determine.

“There is no way you can scientifically say this is the right number.”

If Elmbridge was to reduce to 48 councillors, about £50,000 would be saved in members’ allowances.

Three slots are available for Boundary Commission review, for which councils must be selected.

Coun O’Reilly said Elmbridge had a “reasonable chance” of being selected and said he believed the 2013/2014 review would be too quick.

The leader of the council recommended the council approach the Boundary Commission for 2014/15 and set up a working group to analyse issues.

Councillor James Browne said: “I think we do need to look at where we stand on the number of councillors. If Guildford can manage with 48, why can’t we?”

Other councillors were not optimistic about the proposals.

Councillor Ruth Lyon said: “Being a councillor is not simply turning up to meetings.

“Residents want them to be their eyes and ears and to take up their complaints about everything from potholes to getting a bed for an elderly relative in a community hospital, dog dirt, planning problems, flooding.

“The list goes on and the telephone doesn’t stop ringing.”

Councillor Tania Shipley said: “I totally believe reducing the number of councillors will lead to a greater workload. It does not make sense for the work load to not increase. Members will have to represent more members of the electorate.

“I for one could not do any more than I do now.

“I am very concerned we are even considering cutting down the number of councillors.”

Councillor Ian Donaldson, who was in favour of the review, said: “I could do more. Anyone can do more. It is about making yourself more effective.”

Mayor of Elmbridge Councillor Janet Turner urged councillors to be “very careful what they wish for”, having seen parts of Hinchley Wood moved into Long Ditton.

She said: “Once this goes to the Boundary Commission, you don’t have a say in how it is going to pan out. So be very careful what you wish for.”

Councillors voted 26 in favour of approaching the commission and 23 against, with two abstentions.