WINCHESTER civic chiefs are poised to consider a radical change to elections to the city council.

Currently there are elections three years out of four, with a third of the 57 members standing each time. Many other councils simply hold one election every four years.

Voters living in three-members wards such as in the city area would vote once every four years instead of three times every four years.

The Local Government Boundary Commission is holding an electoral review of the district starting in 2014.

It will be looking at the electoral cycle as well as the number of councillors and the size of the wards.

The council Cabinet agreed to set up a cross-party group to look into the issue.

Council leader Keith Wood told Cabinet: “This gives us the opportunity to rethink the structure it works under, whether we stay with elections by thirds or move to all-out once every four years.

The Council meeting on January 8 will consider whether to hold a consultation on the issue with potential changes from 2016.

A report to Cabinet said a move away from the current system would save £1million over 20 years.