CORNWALL Council has recommended to its cabinet committee to keep the One Stop Shop in Callington town centre — instead of a cost cutting move to relocate it to the town's library on the outskirts of town.

Callington's Cornwall councillor Andrew Long has this week welcomed the decision by the council to recommend the retention of the one stop shop in the town hall with the same hours of operation.

As part of a re-organisation process, the council had proposed putting the one stop shops into its own buildings like town libraries to cut costs.

This was opposed in Callington because of the library's position further away from the town centre and being on the same site as Callington Community College.

Councillors felt it was not appropriate for a library used frequently by college pupils, including for lessons, to also be home to a council enquiry office where matters of a delicate nature were often discussed.

Cllr Long has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the facility stays within the town council complex and keeps the same staff and opening hours.

He said: 'When I heard the council was planning to move one stop shops into libraries as part of its cost cutting process I was naturally concerned for Callington, because of the high usage of the facility for benefit and housing issues and the location of the library in the community college.

'Since then I have been working with the town council and the communities department to persuade the decision makers of the need to keep the facility where it is.

'I am, therefore, naturally delighted that the decision has been made to recommend that the office remain where it is.'

However there will be a reduced payment to the town council for use of its building.

Mr Long added: 'I am concerned that the funding for this is being reduced, but in the current climate it is not unexpected.

'Now this decision has been made, we need to ensure that both the one stop shop and the library are supported by the local community as they are both vital local assets.'