THE number of parish councillors in Porlock could be cut from 12 to eight following difficulties in attracting enough villagers to stand for election.

The council recently has had only six of its 12 seats filled, with Cllr Michelle Vernon becoming a seventh member after a January by-election in which she was the only candidate for three vacancies.

A special council meeting was called to discuss a proposal to ask Somerset Council to set the number of councillors at between 12 and eight, which was the least required for a parish of Porlock’s size.

However, there would not have been time for public consultation before the deadline for requesting a change, and it was agreed instead to find out if a request could be made later this year.