WOULD-be district councillors could be discouraged from standing in May's local elections after evening meetings were taken off the agenda.

A review of the make-up of West Somerset Council committees and timetable of meetings means the current 6.30pm start for cabinet and full council will be binned from the beginning of the new financial year in April.

The start time has been brought forward two hours to 4.30pm, in line with the council's other committees.

The change, agreed at a full council meeting last Wednesday, is intended to reflect the reduction in councillors after May's polls from 31 to 28 following a Boundary Commission review.

Another factor in the decision is the additional hours accrued by staff attending meetings, with redundancies in the coming year and a smaller workforce inevitable as the council struggles to balance its books.

Council chairman Cllr Eddie May told the meeting he favoured a 2.30pm start to save officers from having to work in the evenings.

But Cllr Peter Humber called the suggestion a retrograde step that would only suit retired people or those of "independent means".

Cllr Humber said even a 4.30pm start would "cut across" meal times for people with families to look after.

Cllr Simon Stokes warned that having only afternoon meetings could result in a council of retired people.

He said pressure of work meant he would not be standing again.

"People in my position would find it virtually impossible," said Cllr Stokes.

Cllr Chris Morgan said he had a great many concerns over the change in the meeting times.

He said he could see why it was being put forward but he warned that prospective councillors could be disenfranchised.

"I think these hours will put a limitation on prospective members. I understand the reasons but I am concerned."

Cllr Steven Pugsley, lead member for executive support and democracy, who led the review said the changes were a pragmatic attempt to find a balanced solution to the council's changed situation.

"I appreciate that it is not necessarily ideal or that it will suit all members," he said.

In addition to the revised timings, membership of the planning committee will be reduced from 18 to 15 councillors, with the licensing committee cut from 14 to 11.

Full council will meet bi-monthly, unless circumstances demand otherwise, and the standards committee will meet quarterly.

The frequency and number of meetings of policy advisory groups will be decided by the new council in May.