A survey published today shows that almost two-thirds of Cornish residents are in favour of a single council for the county.

Many of those asked said they found the current system of local government in Cornwall, which consists of the county council and six district councils, confusing.

Of those in favour of the single council method, 71 per cent felt it would make clear who was responsible for providing services.

Some 88 per cent said they would prefer to have one point of contact where all their questions could be answered and almost three-quarters were unconcerned as to where the main offices would be located.

Adam Paynter, deputy leader of Cornwall County Council, welcomed the results. He said: “This is the strongest indication yet that the ‘one council’ option enjoys the greatest public support.

“It is important to remind people that this would be neither a county nor a district council, but a completely new structure to deliver the full range of services more efficiently and give Cornwall a stronger unified voice.”

The news in Cornwall follows similar proposals in west Cumbria, where residents are being encouraged to vote online.

The poll in Cornwall was conducted via telephone and 1,000 people were surveyed.

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