A MAJOR part of Cornwall's new unitary council is unlikely to be up and running by the end of next year, it has been revealed.

Community Networks have been highlighted as a key new initiative for Cornwall Council when it starts next April.

However the panels which will sit in each of the 20 community networks being established across Cornwall will not start before the end of 2009.

Community networks have been hailed as a new way of getting better partnership between parish and town councils and the new authority while giving local people and organisations the chance to have their say about decisions being made by the new Cornwall Council.

The panels will be made up of members of Cornwall Council, local parish and town councillors as well as local representatives from groups such as the police, health services, community groups and town forums.

However a report which will go before the Cornwall joint overview and scrutiny committee of the county council this week indicates the panels will not be meeting until after elections for the new council have been held.