LAUNCESTON’S library will not be one of those devolved by Cornwall Council in the next financial year, town councillors understand.

If the town council wishes to take on the running of the library, Cornwall Council may look to devolve it in 2017/18.

A meeting was held on December 17 between some town councillors, town clerk Rita Skinner the town’s Cornwall Council community link officer, Chris Sims and representatives of Cornwall Council’s Face to Face services and properties department.

Ms Skinner told the Post: “Cornwall Council want to get two or three librares done and dusted, if you like, before 2016/17, but we won’t be one of them.

“The consensus seemed to be if we are interested it would be for 2017/18.

“I understand from Cornwall Council that library services will continue as at present in the interim.”

Ms Skinner said the state of the library building itself, at Bounsalls Lane, was also discussed at the meeting.

She added: “They acknowledged there does need to be money spent on it and they have gone back to see if Cornwall Council can do that out of their own budget or if we can make bids to do it.”

Ms Skinner added the next steps were to report back on the December 17 meeting to the full town council at its next meeting in January, and to wait to hear back from Cornwall Council on what, if anything, can be done about the building.

She added: “We are also going to be looking at HR implications, should we take it on.”

A spokesperson from Cornwall Council told the Post work on the devolution of libraries and one stop shops to local councils and community organisations was progressing.

The spokesperson said: “Meetings have taken place, or have been arranged, with local councils and community groups that are considering taking over 27 library and one stop shop sites.

“The meetings have been high level discussions to provide the opportunity for interested parties to view the site manuals, consider their options, and ask questions. Officers have had follow up discussions with some sites to discuss specific aspects in more detail.

“Final decisions have not been reached on whether services will be devolved to community organisations in any sites yet — although Truro, Penryn, Callington and Falmouth are keen to progress towards being able to take on their libraries and/or One Stop Shops by April 2016.

“We will be in a position to develop a timescale for the remaining sites, including Launceston, once discussions have progressed further and in agreeing this direction of travel to devolve sites across Cornwall, members recognised the complexity involved and that the whole programme is expected to take 18 months.

“We remain committed to maintaining an effective and efficient library service across Cornwall.

“This is new and exciting ground for local councils, community organisations and Cornwall Council and we recognise that many of our local councils have some fantastic ideas on how to make better and effective community use of our libraries.”