Cornwall Council has admitted it has made an "error" by sending out leaflets with adult education centres proposed for closure already removed from a map before talks on the decision have been completed. One councillor was so dismayed to receive the leaflet through the post that he has asked whether the matter should be scrutinised by committee.
It was only last week that the council's economic growth and development committee said it could not support its own council's move to close adult education centres in Camelford, Callington, Torpoint, Saltash, Launceston, Penzance and St Austell.
A decision to close the centres was taken by strategic director Phil Mason last month following a period of public engagement. However, the closures were put on hold following a current period of engagement with councillors representing the areas affected.
Despite the ongoing talks, the leaflets have gone out to thousands of homes showing only the adult education hubs which are safe - Bude, Newquay, Liskeard, St Dennis, Bodmin, Helston, Truro, Camborne, Hayle and Falmouth.
Cllr Tim Dwelly, Independent councillor for Penzance East, wrote to senior officers at the council: "Can I ask what the 'member engagement' is meant to achieve given what I have just received through the post today? A leaflet promoting adult education with a map that has already removed locations like Penzance, St Austell, Launceston and Saltash.
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"I do have to ask as chair of the economic growth and development committee whether this should now go in front of the committee for scrutiny."
A spokesperson for Cornwall Council has responded to the concerns: "The strategic director made a decision last month following a programme of engagement with service users and providers. That decision is being revisited following a further period of engagement with divisional members, with an outcome expected this week. Adult education leaflets are sent out each year in January. This year’s leaflets were sent out in error based on December’s decision."
The council has previously said that numbers in adult education have not recovered as quickly as hoped following Covid which, coupled with inflationary pressures over the past two years, has made it difficult to justify the existing cost of keeping the seven centres open.
The proposal has been labelled "vindictive", "chaotic", "short-sighted" and handled "appallingly".
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