CARADON councillors have spoken out over the uncertainty facing local staff in the run up to the launch of the new Cornwall Council, which takes place on April 1.

Council leader John Turner is angry that Caradon staff are being given little information about their futures and has

expressed these views to

the chief executive of the

new council, Kevin Lavery. Cllr Turner said: 'These

people who work in our

offices have mortgages to pay and many of them do not know if they will have a job or where they will be based if they do.

'I am very critical of the whole process.

'I have written to the chief executive about these issues and expressed my concern over the lack of clarity.'

Caradon District Council goes out of existence after 35 years.

Cllr Hugh Francis, who is part of the implementation committee that is advising Cornwall Council, said: 'I totally agree with councillor Turner.

Disgrace

'The fact that we are starting a new authority with at least 50 per cent of the staff not knowing their future is a disgrace.'

Existing district councillors are also facing an uncertain future, with only a small number retaining their roles during the interim period between April 1 and the Cornwall Council elections on June 4.

Those retained will advise and work with the new authority.

Temporary planning and licencing committees have been set up and only five of the 42 councillors currently at Caradon are on the planning committee.