Seven adult education centres to close in Cornwall

Seven adult education centres are set to close in Cornwall following consultation, the council has confirmed.

Cornwall Council said the number of adults enrolling in education had not recovered since the Covid-19 pandemic and inflation had added pressure over the last two years.

The centres closing are Camelford, Callington, Torpoint, Saltash, Launceston, Penzance and St Austell.

Before the confirmed closures, students in Penzance said they would feel "lost" without their local centre.

Councillor Barbara Ellenbroek, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder with responsibility for adult education, said courses would still be provided.

She 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.

"Many people now prefer to access education online, and there are alternative providers available, as well as the remaining centres which will continue to operate as normal.

"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."

Centres in Bude, Newquay, Liskeard, St Dennis, Bodmin, Helston, Truro, Camborne, Hayle and Falmouth are set to remain open and will support those affected with moving them to online provision, an alternative location or through another learning provider.

The Adult Education Board of Governors said it had reviewed feedback from consultation and recommended closing the centres no earlier than 28 February 2025 to allow current learners to complete their courses.

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