LEADING figures on Cornwall Council ‘have their focus on Launceston’, town councillors heard at their meeting last week, writes Amy Dennis.

They received a presentation from Cornwall Council’s chief executive, Kate Kennally, who is now a part of Launceston’s Community Network Panel.

Cornwall Council describes its 19 community networks as ‘the main way we connect with communities and help address important local issues’.

Ms Kennally explained there are 21 staff in the ‘top team’ of the local authority. Senior officers of Cornwall Council have been allocated to each of the community networks, with Ms Kennally and Jane Black, service director education and early years, allocated to Launceston’s.

Ms Kennally said: “We will be in attendance at community network meetings. We want to work with you to make these community networks purposeful.” She stressed that she wants to see collaboration between Cornwall Council and its community networks.

With the leader of Cornwall Council, Liberal Democrat Adam Paynter, representing Launceston North and North Petherwin, Ms Kennally added: “You’ve not only got the leader of the council but the chief executive of the council with a focus on Launceston. I have got some pride here, that we have got to make some of this work together!”

She said the network had identified priorities of health and wellbeing, local health facilities, air quality, roads, transport and infrastructure, economy, education and schools.

She said: “Cornwall Council has made a commitment to be the number one authority for affordable housing in the country,” adding that it had been number one in 2015. Currently it is third. She added: “It’s something we take very seriously. We want to make sure Cornwall is a place that people who want to can call their home.”

She pointed out the 1,800 new homes allocated for Launceston in the local plan, and said on schooling: “We are very aware of the new school at Hay Common, some issues with some of the village schools in terms of numbers and quality.

“I’m very much looking forward to getting to know you and finding ways of building a collaborative relationship.

“I guess the challenge for us all is to be informed by the past but not be defined by it as we try and find ways of working together.

“Launceston is a really important town, absolutely our gateway town. It’s got good connections and a place we have identified for building on what the town is, but we need to not exacerbate the challenges we have.”

Town councillor Paul O’Brien said: “I welcome that word [collaboration] — I’m with you all the way.”

Mayor, Cllr Margaret Young, said: “We look forward to working with you.”