The body that represents town and parish councils in Cornwall says that it has concerns ahead of the forthcoming elections after it was revealed that four parish councils in the Duchy won't have enough councillors to function.
Almost 300 out of approximately 2,000 seats lie empty ahead of the town and parish elections on May 2, meaning that many councils will operate without a full set of councillors once voting has taken place.
The worrying drop-off in candidates has left many councils, such as Redruth Town Council, facing the prospect of serving, at least temporarily, with only 50% of seats filled.
It has also left four parish councils, Michaelstow, Otterham, Lawhitton and Treneglos, inquorate, meaning they will not have enough councillors to function, and therefore will be unable to make decisions on planning applications or consultations until Cornwall Council steps in to fill the vacancies.
Town and parish clerks have also spoken of their concern that an extra burden will be placed on the few councillors that remain as they try to juggle extra responsibilities.
While the Cornwall Association of Local Councils (CALC) has said action will have to take place to ensure that inquorate parishes fulfil their financial obligations to contractors and clerks.
Sarah Mason, executive officer at CALC, said: "I think in some areas there definitely is (a concern). For the (councils) that are two people down on being quorate, they are going to struggle. We have got roughly the same number of elections as last time but the councils who had 10 for 10, have only got eight for 10 or six for 10."
Ms Mason said there were many reasons behind the vacancies, including the unusual six-year term to bring the local elections in line with those for the unitary authority.
She added that the positive aspects of being a councillor were often lost. She said: "If you want to make a difference and you want to help make the right decision for your community, backed with the financial possibility to do it, then it's a really good way of volunteering."
Michaelstow, Otterham, Lawhitton and Treneglos parish councils all have fewer than the minimum three or a third to make them quorate.
William Northcott, who has served on Otterham Parish Council for more than 40 years, is the only candidate standing in the election. He blamed the unitary authority for the rise in apathy. He said: "Nobody seems to be interested. One of the main reasons is that Cornwall Council doesn't take any notice of what the parish council says. It's a pity really when we put in the effort we do for nothing."
Peter Bennett is clerk at Redruth Town Council, which could lose its Quality Council Status, with only seven candidates for 14 seats, despite having seven stand for co-option recently. He said it will put a strain on councillors. "A lot goes on outside of the actual meetings," he said. "If we are unable to share those responsibilities it will put a strain on those members."
Cornwall Council said it would attempt to fill inquorate council seats by co-option and could, if necessary, put suitably-qualified officers in the vacant seats.
Lesley Smith, from Devon ALC, said two or three councils were inquorate at its last elections two years ago but have since been filled. She said it is often the case that people are not comfortable with the election process and will chose to co-opt instead.
