The former leader of Cornwall Council has hit out at a decision to scrap an extraordinary meeting to discuss the future of leisure centres in Cornwall.

Julian German said he was shocked that a meeting which had been called to focus on the possible closure of five leisure facilities had been dropped.

The council's customer and support services overview and scrutiny committee had agreed at its last meeting that it would need an extraordinary meeting so that they could discuss the issue in detail.

Cornwall Council is currently in the process of considering a new leisure strategy which could see leisure centres in Falmouth, Launceston, Wadebridge and Saltash closed along with the hydrotherapy pool in St Austell.

The current operator of the centres, GLL, has told the council that it could not continue to run the centres without financial support but Cornwall Council said that it had no budget for the service and that it is not a statutory requirement.

However the council has said that it would be willing to work with community groups or other operators who might be able to take over the centres.

The possible closure of centres has been met with protests across Cornwall with demonstrations and petitions being launched to save the facilities.

Cllr German was very critical of the decision to scrap the scrutiny committee meeting to discuss the issue.

He highlighted that at the last meeting the committee agreed to hold an extraordinary session with chairman John Keeling stating: "It is my responsibility then to make sure that a report is brought before us and that we have an extraordinary meeting in time for the Cabinet decision in December."

There will be a meeting of the committee on December 7, but that is just one day before the Cabinet is due to meet on December 8. Cllr German said that this would not give chance for the committee's response to be published and considered by the Cabinet before it makes its final decision.

The independent councillor and shadow member for finance said: "We are witnessing the death of democracy at Cornwall Council. Councillors must be able to scrutinise the outcome of the public consultation before a decision is taken on the future of the leisure centres and hydrotherapy pool at St Austell."

He added:

"I am truly shocked that a committee decision is being blatantly ignored. Closing public services is a decision that cannot be taken lightly; there needs to be open and transparent discussion ensuring the issues are properly understood, that the implications and possible alternatives are fully explored. Our leisure centres and hydrotherapy pool are so important to the mental and physical health and well-being of our residents."

[H3] Don't forget, you can see all the latest news and join in on the conversation on our Twitter and Facebook pages. [.H2]