DURING the full Launceston Town Council meeting on Tuesday, February 18, councillors gave an update and their feedback following the Community Governance Review public meeting on February 11.

Leading the conversation, Cllr Rob Tremain said: “Several town councillors attended the Community Governance Review public meeting in the town hall on Tuesday, February 11. There were approximately 25 people in attendance.

“Cllr Malcolm Brown (the chair of the Electoral Review Panel) chaired the meeting in a very competent manner, and explained the process well. Everyone who attended had an opportunity to speak or ask questions.

“Cllr [John] Conway (as a member of the public) spoke forcefully in support of our proposal to move our town boundary to encompass the Chapel Gate development.

“I outlined our original proposals and updated the panel as to our meetings with South Petherwin and St Thomas Rural Parish Councils; and our on-going plans to keep a friendly dialogue with them regarding issues that concern us all.

“I stated our need to include the proposed cemetery within our own parish and spoke of our resolution (from the January council meeting) to include the Chapel Gate site within our parish boundary, and that we were awaiting the response from St Thomas that would enable our council to formulate a detailed proposal to the review panel in March.

“St Thomas Rural Parish Council meeting is scheduled for the end of February and we will have a reply from them in time for our March 17 council meeting at which we will need to agree our strategy.”

Cllr Paul O’Brien said: “Following on from what Cllr Tremain said, I was only able to attend for the first five minutes but it did give me chance to speak to the chair Malcolm Brown and mention my concern that our proposals have been shunted into the long grass.”

He referred to the council requiring more land to expand the town’s cemetery: “As far as we are concerned we want a large section of land to form a cemetery.

“Malcolm showed surprise as he said he didn’t know about these plans at all. I have had a word with the clerk to say I myself was surprised Malcolm didn’t know — I mean, it isn’t as if it is a land grab, we have a specific plan that links in with the council’s boundary.”

Cllr John Conway concluded by saying it wasn’t just for councillors to comment on the review, reminding the public to get involved and have their say: “It is not just up to the council to report, we should have individual opinions too.

“If you have a view, forward your view onto the Community Governance review. Contact details are on the government website.”

To provide feedback on the draft recommendations, use the online Community Governance Review consultation feedback form relevant to the Launceston Community Network area, available at www.cornwall.gov.uk/governancereview

The feedback form is also available as hard copy on request by calling 0300 123 1115.

Alternatively, feedback can be emailed to [email protected] or by post to Cornwall Council, Community Governance Review, Room 4S, Treyew Road, Truro TR1 3AY.

Response must be received by March 24.