COUNCILLORS were shocked and saddened to hear of county councillor Alex Folkes' report on the latest budget cuts at the Launceston Town Council held on October 19.

Cllr Folkes had a copy of the draft budget proposals issued by Cornwall Council.

A number of cuts were highlighted which would affect the town, including parking charges. The proposal, if given the go-ahead, could see parking charges in the town be cut for the first hour by 20p. However, for every subsequent hour would increase "quite a lot" and by the fourth hour it would be an increase of 130 per cent.

The Rover ticket is proposed to be abolished and the cheapest car parking ticket for the year for four chosen car parks in the town may cost around £600 compared to the current £195.

Cllr Folkes said that parking charges in Launceston could increase by 45 per cent.

"Absolutely hard done by," he commented.

It was said that Cornwall Council is to make cuts in the way it organises itself by £70 million and this would not affect front line services. It could see a number of other changes, where the council would use more voluntary and private sector organisations to deliver services.

It may see the loss of town's localism officers and there would be face-to-face rationalisation. Cllr Folkes then moved on to service cuts of £10 million which would affect front line services.

He said: "They are not definite, but it seems to be the case."

The possible closure of Camelford Leisure Centre was highlighted at the meeting, however there appeared to be no change to Launceston's Leisure Centre.

Cllr Folkes added: "It is not completely ruled out, it just hasn't be proposed."

There were two lines that have been proposed to be cut which could largely affect Launceston. This was the removal of One Stop Shops and the transfer of library services.

He said: "They are now looking to radically combine One Stop Shop services and libraries."

This could see the closure of 20 libraries, leaving only nine across Cornwall and could even be whittled down to as little as three libraries in the county.

"Ridiculous," exclaimed a councillor as Cllr Folkes revealed the current recommendations from proposals of the cabinet.

"Would Launceston come in the top nine?" the county councillor questioned.

See the full report in this week's 'Post.'