PARISHES in the Camelford Community Network Panel area were asked if they would be willing to contribute to the library’s cost in putting on a summer reading challenge.

At the June 12 meeting of the community network panel, chair, Claire Hewlett, explained that the Camelford Town Council recently took on the running of the town library from Cornwall Council,

“It costs the parish about £39,000 to do this every year. That’s £37.83 per household.”

Cornwall Council has approached Camelford Library to undertake the Summer Reading Challenge, prior to this the library staff go out to outlying primary schools to explain the scheme and then children are encouraged to visit the library during the summer and read a certain number of books to complete the challenge and receive a certificate.

Previously this would be carried out by Cornwall Council staff, but as the town council now runs the library, it would be town council staff taking part.

Cllr Hewlett said: “What we are asking is if the councils want their primary schools to take part in this, will they contribute to staff time and travel?”

It was estimated that it would be approximately half a day for each visit.

She said the cost would probably depend on where the school was and how long it would take for the staff to reach the school.

“Is this something that parish councils would welcome?”

A number of parish council representatives asked for some more information and the exact costings so they could go back to their councils for discussion.

John Conway, representing Otterham, said: “It seems totally unreasonable for the good people of Camelford to pay on their rates.”

Denis Lusby added: “Camelford shouldn’t have taken on the library without getting some assets from Cornwall Council.”

Andy Shaw, Camelford town councillor, replied: “In defence of Camelford Town Council, we were asked by the parishioners to try and save the library. There would not be a library if we didn’t. We do need some revenue income.”

Cllr Hewlett said she would get the clerk to Camelford Town Council, Esther Greig, to work out the costings so they could be sent to parish councils in the network area to consider.