AN extraordinary meeting was held in Camelford to discuss the future of service provision in the town.

Councillors met on the evening of January 29 to discuss a number of services and areas in the town and how the council sees the town evolving over the next ten years.

Areas covered included the doctors surgery; pond and riverbank; car parks; OCM skatepark; allotments; cemetery; community orchard; Market Place; library and events.

Cllr Claire Hewlett chaired the meeting in the absence of mayor, Cllr Kirsty Ferguson, and she gave councillors a set amount of time to discuss each area.

Pond and riverbank: councillors said the long term objectives for the park are that it remains safe and accessible, with Cllr Andy Shaw noting the need to “preserve and enhance.” Cllr Stephen Bond said the council should be doing all it can to encourage wildlife, and Cllr Hewlett said paths should be developed to allow mobility scooters to access.

Cllr Rob Rotchell said the council could ‘bank money’ in order for it to have resources to carry out work on paths in the future.

Car parks: The council owns Churchfield car park, but in the long term hope to obtain the Clease car park from Cornwall Council if the resurfacing work.

Cllr Michael Coombes noted there were problems at Clease with regards to parking, and it needs to expand.

Cllr Rotchell said: “Most of the time now that car park is full so you’re getting Clease Road itself getting clogged.”

He noted there was an area on the other side of the road outside the museum, which is Town Trust land, and although he said he would hate to lose any green space, he recognised there was a problem.

OCM skatepark: Phase one of the site is complete, with the council recently having gone out to tender for stage two. Phase three is dependant on the scout hut relocating to another place within the town.

Cllr Rotchell said they are working with the scouts to ensure a new premises, and noted it was an important part of the youth provision in Camelford.

Discussions centred around the cafe on the site, whether it would be better for the council to run it itself, or put it out for tender. Councillors said there may be a good franchise opportunity there.

Allotments: Cllr Shaw said the aim would be to improve what is there, and tidy the current ‘mess.’

The council has a long term intention to provide allotments, whether at the current site, or elsewhere if land was purchased.

Cllr Shaw said he would like a sinking fund to be able to purchase land, and said the regeneration budget could be earmarked.

Cemetery: Short term plans are to get the cemetery open, with longer plans focussed on management and maintenance. Councillors discussed the possible provision of a shelter and toilets.

Community orchard: The aim would be to use the orchard, with questions arising over what it can be used for. Cllr Shaw said he would like to see an apple press there in time.

Market Place: Discussion focussed on regeneration, but Cllr Stephen Bond noted that there are not many empty shops currently. Councillors said they could enhance the area through planting, lighting and more events on the bandstand.

Library: There were calls for future expansion of the library, with Cllr Lauren Rathbone stating that a lot of people don’t use the facility as they don’t think there is much there in its new home in the Town Hall.

Events: Cllr Bond said there are a group of volunteers who would like to ignite New Year’s Eve in Camelford.

The council has its own events working group, and a number of events are organised throughout the year.

Cllr Rotchell said: “We’ve got a responsibility for community cohesion. We went off like a rocket and we got lots of things on, The down side of that is that they are labour intensive.”

Cllr Alan Burgis said: “None of us are getting any younger. It’s the same five that do things every time without much change. It doesn’t encourage people to come and join the party. If you want to come and join, crack on.”

Cllr Rotchell added: “Should we take on more events? I would say no.”

The council organises the winter festival and party in the park, along with a couple of other events such as Pumpkins on Parade, and the focus will be on these.

At the end of discussions, a strategic working group was set up to create the terms of reference for the group.

The group will consist of Cllrs Claire Hewlett (deputy mayor), Lauren Rathbone, Kirsty Ferguson (mayor), Michael Coombes and the clerk, Esther Greig,

All ideas and discussions will go back to full council.