TOWN councillors in Bodmin have banned the new Cornwall Council from using their premises at Shire House as a flagship advice centre.

The new authority planned to run a one stop shop and community network office from the building to provide advice and help to the public, one of 22 planned across Cornwall after district councils are disbanded in three months' time.

But town councillors are angry at what they see as the heavy-handed attitude of One Cornwall officials towards their staff during the consultation process, and have now withdrawn the offer to the new authority to use the building.

A new venue will now have to be found in Bodmin to run the one stop shop from April.

Cllr Lance Kennedy, who chairs Bodmin Town Council's One Cornwall working party, said the attitude shown towards town council staff had been unacceptable.

"We had originally agreed that Shire House could be used as a one stop shop and community network office but they have failed to communicate with us properly.

"We had several people descend on the building telling our staff what to do, and we didn't take kindly to the way they had been treated.

"They haven't consulted with us properly anyway, and after the heavy-handed approach shown to our staff, the council has decided not to offer the use of the building as a one stop shop.

"The town council remains committed to offering the best possible service to the community and will ensure that as of April 1 we will continue to provide contact details for the Cornwall Council as we have with North Cornwall District Council – that is, of course, provided we are supplied with the information in time.

"I hope that any further discussions with the One Cornwall team follow a serious change of attitude and behaviour towards our officers, members and community."

His council colleague Linda Spear was scathing about the so-called consultations.

"We have had more than 29 different officers come to see us, all with different agendas and thinking they have us over a barrel and are simply there to pay lip service, acting like bully boys towards our staff.

"If this is the way One Cornwall is going to carry on, then there is no hope for any of us,'' she said.

Ann Kerridge, a county councillor for Bodmin, and chair of the One Cornwall implementation executive, said she was disappointed by the decision of the town council.

"Shire House would have been an ideal location, but I can quite understand that the town council is upset at some of what has gone on.

"We may be able to use the NCDC office at Barn Lane (for a one stop shop) temporarily, but no decision has been taken yet.''

Cllr Kerridge was hopeful that the new Priory Community Support Centre, scheduled to be completed at the end of the year, may become available for a one stop shop in the longer term, but said further talks were needed with Bodmin Town Council.

A spokeswoman for the One Cornwall team added: "Inevitably, the process of planning and measuring up for the alterations and refurbishments in the town council offices has been disruptive to local town council staff.

"We understand that town councillors are frustrated and annoyed that the contractors working on this project for the One Cornwall team have not always made appointments in advance before turning up.

"We apologise unreservedly for any inconvenience and upset that has been caused although we don't agree that we have used bullying tactics or been high-handed."