A row broke out over the effectiveness of Helston and Lizard Food Bank when the town’s councillors debated whether to give it money.

The organisation, which has a drop-in centre based out of the Mustard Seed charity’s Open Door café, had asked for £2,750 to create a confidential area for people using the facility to talk about their needs, through the council’s latest round of grant applications.

Food bank co-ordinator Ruth McGurk wrote: “We are experiencing an increase in people requiring help to access information needed to help them out of food/financial crisis.

“To this end we need to provide a confidential space for clients to discuss their requirements and by use of laptops/telephone receive relevant assistance.”

She added: “Whilst our aim first and foremost is to help with emergency food supplies, it is becoming increasingly obvious that the people we see need longer term help to tackle the deeper causes of food poverty and health inequalities.”

Mayor Mike Thomas said: “There is a terrific need in this town for people to be supported. It does not have to be a huge donation, but I feel we should show our gratitude for the work they do in this town.”

Councillor John Boase, who said another organisation he was on had given nearly £5,000 to the food bank, agreed: “They need it. The people who are really supported by that money, they can’t get [help] anywhere else.”

However, councillor Ronnie Williams believed the facility had now served its purpose.

He said: “I think what it initially kicked off in the town, it did what it was meant to do. Time has gone on, people have been able to get organised. In my own mind now, is it going to where it should be going?

“I think the whole organisation of that now needs revamping.”

But Mr Boase stressed that the organisation wasn’t “abused,” explaining that in order for person to be given food they must first be referred by someone like a doctor or a vicar.

He added: “I’m sure the money is going to go where they say it is.”

Councillor Jonathan Radford-Gaby said that while he supported the work done there, the food bank had already received a large donation from the mayor’s fundraising fund and it was something the government should be funding rather than the town.

The decision split the council, but the majority verdict was that the food bank should not receive money.

A visibly frustrated Mr Thomas responded: “I shall be giving a personal donation myself.”

David Williams, development manager at the Mustard Seed, told the Packet: "We are a charity within an open door policy at all times. Everything we do is above board.

"Anybody can see our accounts at any time; they are more than welcome to see what we spend our money on. We totally abide by charity rules and regulations."