VOTERS could be given the chance to have their say on big decisions being taken by Cornwall Council in a series of referendums.

The council is looking at the possibility of holding votes on key decisions alongside other elections, the first of which could be the election of a police and crime commissioner in May.

Among the issues which could be subject to a referendum are plans to set up a bursary scheme for higher education students, the introduction of a Cornwall Education Maintenance Allowance and the dualling and detrunking of the A30.

The council hopes it would give people the opportunity to influence decisions and increase voter turnout at elections.

Council leader Alec Robertson said: "We have three elections coming up in the next three years with the European elections, the police commissioner elections and the local government elections in 2013.

"What we can do in terms of referendum, at very little cost, or no extra cost, is get people involved in them. It's all about the localism agenda and we have got some big questions that we may think are good for Cornwall. There might not be central government agreement about that, but if it's what the people of Cornwall want through feedback from a referendum that sends a strong argument back to the Government or we might want to just find out what the people of Cornwall want.

"There are some suggestions for what they might be on – the second homes (council tax) discount is one we might look for public support for. It gives people the chance to have their say.

"It would increase participation in elections, particularly for this one for a police and crime commissioner because of the weight of the electorate, we have a third of the electorate that would vote in the election of a Devon and Cornwall commissioner. There is likely to be apathy in Cornwall for that, but if we can put an interesting referendum alongside it then we could well see a higher turnout and, of course, it might also increase the chance of a Cornish candidate.

"We have said from the start that we want to be open and transparent and want to do what the people of Cornwall want."