Cornwall Council's Cabinet has agreed to start devolution negotiations with Falmouth Town Council.

The Cabinet met this morning (20th) to discuss whether to sell off Ships & Castles along with a large area of land on Pendennis Headland.

Protesters gathered outside New County Hall around two hours before the meeting with a clear message of "hands off our headland".

Community members got the chance to ask questions, Ben Leach, said: "Having already hurt our community by closing our leisure centre and pool, how do you expect thousands of people will react to you if you vote to accept the recommendations to sell off Falmouth's cherished headland? Especially given Falmouth Town Council have said they would like the full site to be devolved and have plans in place for it to not become a burden to the taxpayer to keep the pool operating to enable children to learn to swim."

Portfolio Holder Cllr Richard Pears commented: "Discussions are ongoing with Falmouth Town Council regarding devolution of the Cornwall Council owned parts of the headland, including Ships & Castles. However, it is only the Ships & Castles element of the site that is deemed surplus to requirements and recommended for sale. Should devolution of the facility not be pursued there is no intention to dispose of the wider headland other than through devolution."

He continued: "Further to Falmouth Town Council's decision the other day, we are now discussing devolution of the entire site with them (Ships & Castles and the headland). They're two separate things. One of which we are only discussing devolution, the other we are now also discussing devolution. Potential to devolve everything."

Another public question read: "How does it make sense to sell off a headland for 2 million pounds in order to build a leisure centre elsewhere that will cost up to 12 million pounds?"

Cllr Pears replied: "There is no intention to sell the whole headland. The report being considered by the Cabinet today is the site that was previously let to GLL. The council has no approved capital budget to invest in or improve the Ships & Castles building. The intent was that the capital released by the sale of Ships & Castles could be reinvested in leisure provision in the Falmouth area."

Another read: "Does Cabinet believe GLL ran down Ships & Castles is a fair reason to close the leisure centre and sell part of the headland?"

Cllr Pears added: "A number of options were considered to retain leisure provision in Falmouth but they were not considered sustainable or viable. Disposal and surplus to requirements is appropriate action to take, what we are doing here is ringfencing any receipts we generate from this sale to put back into leisure provision in Falmouth."

Overall, there were eight questions put forward at this morning's meeting. Most of them raised concerns about the sale of the land, the future of the site, and where the money will go. Emotions were high amongst residents inside the meeting - with council leader Linda Taylor making a series of requests for quiet.

If the site is sold, the Cabinet said £2million will be ringfenced to fund a new leisure facility in Falmouth. This was met with concerns from Cllr John Bastin who said, "of the sale of that site, what percentage would £2million be? I think 2 million is a very low price."

Cllr David Saunby commented: "I strongly back what Falmouth Town Council are saying. They're interested in the headland and interested in Ships & Castles. They also have Pendennis Leisure, who are willing to work really hard to make it work. Last time you said they didn't have a business case, I believe if you listen to them properly they do have a business case. Together with Falmouth Town Council, they can make it work. If you aren't prepared to give them that chance, you're just going against what the people want. This is the Falmouth people and the people who vote for you. You have got to listen to the people and carry out their wishes."

Cornwall Council leader Linda Taylor asked Cllr Richard Pears, "if a representative from Falmouth Town Council phoned you today to talk, what would your response be?" Richard Pears replied, "okay, immediately."

The Cabinet agreed to pursue devolution of the whole of the Pendennis headland to Falmouth Town Council before selling the site on the open market - with no funding attached.

After the meeting, Pendennis Leisure CIC issued a statement, saying: "The Cabinet at Cornwall Council has agreed to start negotiating to devolve the whole of Pendennis headland to Falmouth Town Council.

"However, with no financial support to help the transition, maintenance and/or reopening of the pool, we now have six months and a lot of work to do but as always are fully committed to working with Falmouth Town Council, our local MP Cherilyn Mackrory and the community to try to get the best result for the people of Falmouth, Penryn and surrounding areas."