A petition for an elected mayor in Torbay failed in December

Torbay Council says a recent consultation showed the mayor was bottom in local people's priorities.

The role is non-political, with the mayor carrying out a variety of civic duties. The office currently costs the taxpayers of Torbay �147,000.

The council says it must listen to local people's views.

First Citizen

Council leader Chris Harris said: "The indication from the public is that they place a low relevance on the mayoralty.

"I think we need to double check before we go round making cuts, but if people are saying that, then we need to make the cuts.

"We need to be responsive and be seen as a listening council."

The Worshipful Mayor of Torbay, who is selected to serve for one year by councillors, is regarded as the area's First Citizen. The current mayor is Councillor Mrs Jenny Faulkner.

More than 500 functions are normally attended by the mayor, whose role is to promote the Torbay locally, nationally and internationally.

In December, a petition calling for an elected mayor failed to gain enough signatures for a referendum.