CLOSURE?threats to Camelford Leisure Centre have been relieved following a meeting held by members of Cornwall Council's Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, on Thursday, November 4.

Members expressed concerns about a number of issues, including the future of library services and the proposed reduction funding for council run leisure facilities in Cornwall.

Campaigns had been in force to halt the possible closure of the leisure centre as part of Cornwall Council's budget cuts. Pledge sheets were made and tee-shirts were sold, emblazoned with the SOS logo — Save Our Sportscentre (as previously reported in the 'Post').

Around 30 protesters, the majority from the SOS?campaign, gathered outside Truro County Hall with SOS banners and set up paddling pools, as the cabinet meeting took place on Wednesday, November 3.

Camelford Leisure Centre's Deputy Manager Richard Burke attended the scrutiny meeting, he commented on the protesters' actions: "They did a fantastic job out there!"

Richard explained that the leisure centre will continue to receive funding for next year and possibly a smaller amount for the year after. This "gives everyone breathing space," Richard commented, allowing talks to continue with the council; schools and staff.

Richard added: "We are optimistic the centre will operate in the future, but it maybe under a different layout."

Camelford Leisure Centre was one of the key areas of concern at the meeting. Acknowledging the concerns expressed by some members and representatives of the local community, Joan Symons, the council's cabinet member for customer first and culture, told the meeting that council leader Alec Robertson had pledged to provide a substantial contribution from his contingency fund to give the working group time to look at alternative ways of delivering the service and put together a package to secure its future.

Welcoming the announcement, the members recommended that a further report on proposals for Camelford Leisure Centre should be made to communities overview and scrutiny committee and that any further withdrawal of funds to leisure facilities should be fully scrutinised.

The communities and corporate resources overview and scrutiny committees will consider the detailed proposals for the potential re-organisation of localism before decisions are made. The feedback from these meetings will be reported to the meeting of the cabinet on November 17 which will agree the final recommendations to be put to the full council on November 30. Both the cabinet meeting on November 17 and the meeting of the full council at the end of November will be webcast live to enable members of the public to follow the debate.