PLANS for a massive cut in the number of councillors serving on Cotswold District Council has received cross-party support.

In a rare move, the ruling Conservatives and their Liberal Democrats opponents joined forces and applauded plans for a major shake up at CDC.

At a full meeting of Cotswold District Council on Tuesday, both Tory and Lib Dem councillors tabled a joint motion to massively reduce the number of serving councillors. The parties, along with some independent councillors, have called for the Local Government Boundary Commission to carry out an electoral review of CDC with the expectation of a substantial reduction in council size.

Tories wanted numbers reduced from 44 to 32 while Lib Dem members wanted a 10 percent cut.

In the end both sides agreed to a "substantial reduction" to leave one councillor per ward.

CDC leader Lynden Stowe said it would be the "most efficient and accountable" way of running a council and added: "For me it is imperative that there is single representation."

Wards which currently have two or more councillors are Beacon Stow, Bourton-on-the-Water, Beeches, Chesterton, Cirencester Park, Stratton, Watermoor, Fairford, Lechlade, Moreton-in-Marsh, Tetbury and the Water Park.

It is hoped the move could save CDC £75,000-a-year although independent Fairford councillor Mark Wardle said a greater efficiency would be achieved by reducing councillor allowances.

"I would like to see more cheaper councillors than fewer more expensive councillors," he said.

If given the go-ahead by the Boundary Commission, the revised council will come info force in May 2015.