Seven adult education centres at risk of closure

The council is considering closing seven of Cornwall's adult education centres

Seven adult education centres across Cornwall are being considered for closure, the council has said.

Cornwall Council said the number of adults enrolling in education had not recovered since the Covid-19 pandemic and the increased cost of inflation had led to the sites running at a deficit.

The centres under threat of closure are in Camelford, Callington, Torpoint, Saltash, Launceston, Penzance and St Austell.

Any student enrolled at a site that closes may be transferred to an alternative centre, to online learning or to a college such as Truro and Penwith College and Cornwall College, the council said.

'Value for money'

Councillor Barbara Ellenbroek, who is responsible for adult education, said: "The financial challenges facing all local authorities mean we simply cannot keep providing a service if we are losing money, especially when we can maintain access to courses through alternative delivery methods."

The adult education service is delivered by the council but funded by the Department for Education based on the number of learners.

Ellenbroek added: "This is not a case of reducing our offering, it is about delivering it in the most cost-effective way to ensure we are providing the very best value for money for our residents."

The centres in Bude, Newquay, Liskeard, St Dennis, Bodmin, Helston, Truro, Camborne, Hayle and Falmouth would remain open, the council said.