UNION leaders have called on Cornwall Council to put on hold plans to privatise many of its core services.

The proposals, which was rejected by a majority of councillors at the authority yesterday afternoon, would see up to 1,000 staff transferred to a new private company.

In a letter sent to all 123 councillors on the authority, Unison have expressed 'grave concerns' over the proposals.

Nick Olgard, chairman of the union's Cornwall branch, wrote: “The idea is that this joint venture will create quality jobs and that is a great idea, but it simply doesn't hold water.”

Services including human resources, benefit payments, libraries and IT are all earmarked to be handed over under the scheme.