LAUNCESTON Town Council has not ‘abandoned’ the idea of possibly taking over the running of the town library, but there has not been much progress in discussions with Cornwall Council, a meeting heard recently.

There is the potential for Launceston Library on Bounsalls Lane to be devolved from Cornwall Council to the town council, with discussions ongoing between the two.

However, Launceston mayor Cllr Brian Hogan described the latest meeting as seeming like an ‘impasse’ at the recent town council meeting.

He said: “I don’t think there has been very much progress really. Yes, we did have another meeting with Cornwall Council. I would like to say there was some progress made but in truth there probably wasn’t very much.

“It seemed rather more of an impasse.”

Last year the town council submitted a document to Cornwall Council listing the terms on which it would consider taking on the running of the library, but it is understood the local authority rejected the town council’s conditions.

Cllr Hogan added: “Obviously we are still entering into discussions. This town council haven’t abandoned thoughts of taking over the library. I think we would all agree really it’s a question of whether it’s financially viable without the support that’s necessary that goes with it.

“I think the deal has to be right for the town.”

Cllr Paul O’Brien said: “From what I’ve heard, having made an offer of what we want out of Cornwall Council to enable us to take on the running of the library, we have had a blank ‘no’.

“So can we possibly reverse it, could we reverse it and say ‘okay, what are you Cornwall Council going to be prepared to give us as a sweetener for this particular pill, which isn’t very tasty as the moment’?”

Cllr Rob Tremain said: “We were one of the first councils to put our hand up and say we’re happy to talk to you. We are interested in devolution. We have been working on various projects with Cornwall Council and I can’t really put my hand up and say we have achieved very much through working with them.”

Town clerk Christopher Drake said there will be another meeting between the two councils next month, adding: “We hope the February meeting is more productive.”