BUDE-Stratton Town Council received an update on the transfer of the town’s library and information service at its meeting on February 7.

Currently, the library is run by Cornwall Council but is due to be transferred to the town council on March 1.

Clerk to the council, Keith Cornwell explained: “So we are almost there, the transfer is all on course for March 1. Depending decision, there are four part-time staff in the library that are in the process of transferring and there are no issues.”

The main update was in regards to the parking outside the library, as the land would still remain Cornwall Council’s.

Mr Cornwell continued: “The parking has changed slightly and common sense has prevailed, the spaces out the front, which Cornwall Council didn’t want to give up, meant we were left with a strange proposal. We would be left with the side land for customers as Cornwall Council wouldn’t transfer us the land.”

Cornwall Council then offered Bude-Stratton Town Council spaces with permits for staff, for a 10-year period.

Mr Cornwell said: “Not most practical of outcomes for the public, and a cause of inconvenience.

“A Cornwall Council officer renegotiated with his colleagues and now the space out the front will be retained for the public to use for a period of 10 years.”

There were also discussions for the current spaces to be changed, as there have been several issues of library staff cars being hit by cars coming in and out of the area, believed to be due to poorly defined parking bay lines.

Mr Cornwell said: “We proposed to remark that area to make staff parking better. In terms of operation the parking will go as is and will develop over the coming months and years, after consolation. The public shouldn’t see a big change.”

The launch of the library’s ownership is due on March 1, where there will be a ceremony held, with ribbon cutting to mark the passing of the service. However, there are is still quite a bit of work to do before the ceremony.

Mr Cornwell advised the council: “This is work to do still, just to point out their are consultations to go through; contracts; payroll; money to run the building; health and safety checks to go through. All of which has an impact to continue it working.”

Cllr Lesley Moores thanked one council member in particular, for his involvement in the transfer.

She said: “I’d like to publicly thank Cllr Peter Moores to enable this evening to happen because the previous council was dead against this happening. He met Chris Simms and he said to Chris we should try again and I think it’s worth it. Because of that meeting I think it’s why this has happened.”

The members of the council were asked to vote on agreement to sealing the deeds and services.

Cllr Bob Willingham proposed and councillors voted unanimously in favour.