ANNUAL Colchester Council elections should be scrapped in favour of a poll every four years, a councillor has proposed.

Tory Will Quince is set to table a motion to change the borough’s election cycle.

At present, a third of the 60 wards are contested each year and the fourth year is election-free.

Mr Quince, who won his Prettygate seat last year, proposes a full council election every four years instead.

He said it would save money and keep residents interested in local politics.

Mr Quince said: “In the current system, the council always has to be populist and can’t set a strategic aim. Elections take councillors away from their bread and butter work. It also causes voting lethargy.

“I think people would be in favour so the administration could set a four-year program.”

A total of £38,000 was put aside for the borough elections in 2011, covering costs such as manning polling stations and printing materials.

The idea was raised in October 2010 when Lib Dems rejected the idea.

Mr Quince will put his proposal to the council at a meeting on February 22. An election is scheduled for May 3, with a gap in 2013.