LAUNCESTON Town Councillors said they have ‘no confidence’ in Cornwall Council, after it was heard a new school planned for the town will only have four classrooms, instead of seven, to start with — with the authority not able to provide funding for the additional three classrooms.

But the leader of Cornwall Council, John Pollard, hit back last week, saying that when the school places were needed, the government would fund them.

Town councillors discussed Hay Common School — a new school planned for Hurdon — at their meeting on July 19, ahead of a meeting with Cornwall Council’s leader and deputy leader the following evening.

The Post has previously reported on town councillors’ frustrations that the new school for Launceston will only have four classrooms, instead of seven, to start with.

Town councillors have previously said Cornwall Council was ‘committed’ to fund an additional three classes for the planned four-class school, but town councillors last week accused Cornwall Council of going back on its promise.

At Launceston Town Council’s meeting on July 19, Cllr Rob Tremain said: “Launceston Town Council has no confidence in Cornwall Council abiding by its promises.

“We are extremely annoyed and concerned that yet again the North and East of Cornwall and Launceston in particular are fobbed off by excuses.

“And what can we do about it, ladies and gentleman?” he added, to applause from fellow councillors.

Cllr John Harris said at a recent meeting with Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for young people, including education, Andrew Wallis, and some of the officers, that they had ‘pinned them down to say to say they were not going to fund the extra three classes’.

Cllr Harris added: “They actually said no we will not fund them. You do have to find alternative funding.

“We do have to find our own way. We have got to stop depending on Cornwall Council because they will let us down — always.”

Cllr Dave Gordon said: “ I think these words need to be sent duly to Cornwall Council so they know how we feel. I think Cornwall Councillors have got to relay that message back to them — we have lost confidence in Cornwall Council.”

It was agreed a letter of concern would be sent to the authority.

The following evening, some of the town councillors attended Cornwall Council’s ‘Who decides?’ meeting in the town hall, which was seeking residents’ views on how Cornwall is governed and managed, and how Cornwall Council could work in the future. The meeting was led by Cornwall Council leader John Pollard.

Cllr John Conway said: “Launceston has lost out because it doesn’t have North Cornwall District Council anymore. Money is not being spent in Launceston now.

Cllr Pollard replied: “You will get your three classrooms. The government pays for school places. As I understand when they are required the government will fund them for you.”