A PUBLIC consultation as been launched after residents of a Cornish town voted overwhelmingly to relocate its council to the local library. 

In August 2021, Hayle residents were consulted about the relocation of Hayle Town Council to the town's library.

The proposal received overwhelming support from the general public.

Since then the council has been looking at the next steps and it's now time to ask the public what they think again as the move will have a financial impact on residents in the town.

The main reason for the move is to consolidate council staff and services as a community hub under one roof in a bid to make efficiency savings by running one modern building suitable for the needs of the council and users of the library instead of two unsustainable buildings.

The existing Library building would be extended upwards to create a whole new floor for HTC while the ground floor will be extended and reconfigured to allow for public toilets, including a much-needed accessible one and a new Council Chamber that will include more space to accommodate the public. 

This meeting/event space will also be hireable by the public for business meetings, events or as an exhibition space. 

Importantly the building will be retrofitted to proof it for the future, including triple glazing the windows, using sustainable pumps to heat the building and fitting with solar panels to provide energy.

Mayor Anne-Marie Rance said: "Consolidating our services in one place will bring huge benefits to staff and more importantly the community. 

"Not only will having all staff in one place lead to extended opening hours for the library, which is a well-utilised facility offering a range of services to the people of Hayle and surrounding villages, but it also means that the council and its staff will be more accessible by being in a more central location in the town."

In order to raise funds for the move, the council will sell Hayle Community Centre which will enable GP services in the town to be secured for the future as Bodriggy Surgery needs to expand to deliver for the whole community.

The council are inviting the community to come along to public consultation events taking place in January in order to ask any questions that they may have. 

A survey is being distributed to enable people to have their say. 

An online version of the survey is also available here: https://forms.office.com/e/FGqvxE0CAh

Go to hayletowncouncil.net to access more information about the project.