LABOUR councillors will vote next month on whether to back switching to all-out elections, it can be revealed.

An all-out election will be called at St Helens Council in 2022 as part of a review of the borough’s electoral boundaries.

In an all-out system the entire council is up for election every four years.

The council’s current system sees a third of councillors elected every year over a four-year cycle, with no elections in the fourth year.

On Monday, Labour councillors were supposed to decide whether or not they supported switching to the new system beyond 2022.

It is understood council leader David Baines supports the move to all-out elections as it will provide stability as well as create a budget saving.

He also believes opposition parties would find it difficult to field candidates in all 16 wards.

St Helens Star: St Helens Council leader David Baines is believed to be in favour of switching to all-out electionsSt Helens Council leader David Baines is believed to be in favour of switching to all-out elections

However, it is understood a number of Labour councillors are concerned the group could suffer heavy losses and possibly lose control of the council.

After debating the pros and cons of both systems at its group meeting on Monday, Labour councillors agreed to defer a decision until January.

Proposals will later be put to full council for a final decision on the matter.

The electoral review is being carried out in 2020-21 by the Local Government Boundary Commission, an independent body responsible for determining the electoral arrangements of local authorities in England.

The purpose of the review is to consider the number of councillors elected to the council and to each ward, as well as the names, number and boundaries of the wards.

The last electoral boundary review of St Helens Council was completed in 2003 and saw the number of councillors reduced from 54 to 48 and the wards cut from 18 to 16.

In October, cabinet agreed to establish a cross-party electoral review working group to advise the council on its official response to the Boundary Commission.St Helens Star: St Helens Town HallSt Helens Town Hall

One of the implications of the review could see the number of councillors reduced in some wards from three to two based on their population.

It is understood Rainford is one of the areas where this could happen.

Rainford councillor Allan Jones, leader of the St Helens Conservatives group, said that while the group has not come to a decision, it is “leaning” towards recommending the council sticks with election by thirds.

“We would rather everything in Rainford remain as it is for the simple reason that the Rainford ward, unlike a lot of others, does have defined boundaries,” Cllr Jones said.

“But if that is not possible we would be prepared to look at a whole range of other suggestions and we will of course put some forward of our own.”

Cllr Teresa Sims, leader of the St Helens Liberal Democrat group, said it would be “premature” to comment at this stage as the work of the cross-party electoral review working group is ongoing.

Rainhill councillor James Tasker, leader of the Independents, supports the switch to all-out elections as he thinks it will give more power to the people.

St Helens Star: Cllr James Tasker, leader of The IndependentsCllr James Tasker, leader of The Independents

Cllr Tasker said: “Our view is that switching to all-out elections will help save money for the council and it will also allow the people of St Helens to get rid of the ruling party in one election.

“I’ve heard people complain that under the current system of electing one councillor per year it doesn’t matter what the outcome is as the Labour group still stay in power.

“By switching to all-out elections, we will have the chance to see a new local government in charge of St Helens in 2022.”