A HEAVILY attended meeting for Launceston's annual community network debate sparked heart-felt appeals and opinions from members of the public who voiced their views on Cornwall Council's controversial cutbacks, last Thursday, writes Amelia Chubb.

Changes to bus services and increases in car parking charges were just two of the subjects put to Graeme Hicks (Cabinet Member for Transportation and Highways) and Tim Wood (Assistant Head of Transportation), at the meeting held in Launceston Town Hall.

Whilst contending with temperamental microphones and trying to remain in control as chair of the meeting, Cornwall Councillor for Launceston Central Alex Folkes, made sure everyone had a chance to ask questions and express their opinion, which they did.

Representatives from parish councils, the town council, Chamber of Commerce, businesses and organisations, as well as a large number of residents, filled the hall.

Cllr Folkes kick started the meeting, which had received a larger attendance than the previous year, with the subject of local bus services.

Cllr Hicks highlighted the fact that government funding for concessionary bus fares had been significantly cut. He explained that Cornwall Council received results from research they had carried out into the usage of the bus services.

He said: "When the results came back we couldn't let that happen in a rural county which is very reliant on buses and would rip the heart out of Cornwall."

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.