CAMELFORD Library was back on the town council’s agenda on April 19, with councillors considering the authority’s potential role in the upkeep of the service in the future, writes Suzanne Cleave.

The future of the library has been discussed in the past, with councillors eager to continue the service after Cornwall Council library funding ceases on March 31, 2017.

Recently the council was faced with a potential hurdle if it wanted to take over the running of the library after that date, as it fell short of the number (two thirds) of elected members needed.

As a result, two co-opted councillors — Cllrs Kirsty Ferguson and Shirley Goodman — resigned from the council in order to stand for re-election.

Both were re-elected, bringing the council up to the required number of members elected.

However, since then Cllr Louise Dean has tendered her resignation, resulting in the council once again falling short of the elected councillors needed to make a general power of competence.

Mayor, Cllr Rob Rotchell said the council could start work of a library bid now, as it would take a couple of months another councillor is elected, and the council will have until October/November to set its precept.

“We need to decide and crack on now, bringing together our thoughts on whether we operate it or not. When the vacancy is filled by an elected councillor, we can then put a bid in.”

Cllr Ferguson said: “I feel it’s important for the town to keep this facility and I don’t think it will do any harm for us as a council to think what we can do to keep it. We need to start putting things together as time is moving on already this year.”

Deputy mayor, Cllr Sue Elford added: “The town’s not going to be very happy. It’s used a lot. We do need that library.”

Cllr Ferguson added: “I just feel quite sad that Cllr Goodman and I took the risk to leave this council.”

Cllr Rotchell replied: “I don’t think anybody could predict that we would be in this position again.”

The council is to invite Anne McSeveney, Cornwall Council’s head of customers and communities, to meet with them to discuss the issue further.