CORNWALL Council is to move forward in devolving library and/or one stop shop services to organisations that have expressed an interest.

The move is part of the cash-strapped council’s proposals to save money because of ‘draconian’ Government cuts in its funding, but one senior member described it as ‘a golden opportunity’ for local councils and organisations to enhance the services in their area.

The council’s cabinet recently approved recommendations on the future of the library and one stop shop service, as ‘the best option to safeguard a comprehensive and efficient’ service.

It means proposals can now start to be put in place to allow communities to shape the library and one stop shop services in their area.

There are a few locations where plans still need to be finalised and the council said it will be looking at options for these and remains hopeful solutions can be found, however, it said it cannot rule out the risk of closure.

The cabinet met on November 4 to consider a report on the future of the library and one stop shop service and recommendations made by the communities policy advisory committee (PAC).

The report summarised the work undertaken so far, following public consultation, on the options for transferring or ‘devolving’ the operation of individual libraries/one stop shops to a town or parish council or community organisation.

The report confirmed the sites for which interest has been received and explored the opportunities available for local councils and community groups to shape services in their areas.

A council spokesperson said: “Whilst members were very concerned that due to the draconian cuts imposed by Government on local authorities these changes in the library and one stop shop service were necessary, they considered the recommendations to be the best option to safeguard a comprehensive and efficient library/one stop shop service for Cornwall.”

Geoff Brown, cabinet member for communities, said: “Local councils and organisations have come forward with some very interesting and exciting ideas and I look forward to seeing them realised.

“For many towns this presents a golden opportunity to enhance the services offered by their library/one stop shop as local communities are best placed to identify their needs.

“The transfer of these services will be complex but discussions have already commenced to enable a small number of them to be transferred by April 2016 as a pilot scheme with others following in 2016/17.

“Once a clear picture of those devolved transfers has been established a further report will be brought back to the PAC and cabinet regarding the service in areas who have not taken up their ‘local’ option.

“I would encourage any council or community group who are interested in taking over their library and have not already done so, to talk to us, as the door is still open.”

Launceston Town Council has considered the future of the town’s library, and produced a survey to see if the public would support the town council potentially running the library.

An update on the subject was expected at a meeting of the town council, held after the Post went to press.