With Cornwall Council’s cabinet approving the process to send out the tender for the 'Joint Venture' privatisation, undisclosed last minute changes have left the public in the dark.

Cornwall councillor Andy Wallis says that, "suddenly BT have offered a better deal", but that information cannot be released to the public as most of the debate was in closed session.

Mr Wallis said: "I will say there are savings. But no way near what was hoped. Though it will be interesting to see the final costs the council incurred against the actual savings this contract will bring over the ten year period of the contract. It would not shock me if the difference between the two was not that much.

"As for jobs, there is a number of guaranteed jobs during the life of the contract. It is not anywhere near the original 500. But to be fair, the contract is a lot smaller. There is also an ‘aspiration’ for more jobs, but that is not guaranteed."

He added that he was frustrated that he could not actually say what has been agreed.

"After all it is in the public interest, it is using tax payers money and there is only one bidder left in the mix. So it is hardly going to make a difference. By keeping it so secret it just portrays the culture of secrecy, mistrust and misunderstanding of council business," said cllr Wallis.