COUNCILLORS have condemned Cornwall Council cuts to frontline services following concerns the decision will harm vulnerable children and families in Newquay.

Mayor Drew Creek along with members of Newquay Town Council are particularly angry “successful” child protection services have been stopped.

The programs have supported children who have experienced sexual abuse/ exploitation online and a role to protect children from criminal and sexual exploitation.

But the unitary authority, which is £1.3 billion in debt, has decided to axe the service as part of the forthcoming year’s budget in order to balance the books.

Green Party councillors in Newquay are now calling out the Conservative Cabinet’s “misplaced priorities,” which they say have seen millions wasted on failed projects such as the Spaceport, “mismanaged” car parks, and “unnecessary” estate agency fees for the airport.

Mayor Creek said: “At a time when families are already struggling, these cuts are a devastating blow to essential services that keep children safe.

“While the council pleads poverty, it has squandered public money on vanity projects and mismanagement. Now, they’re asking residents for more money through council tax hikes while delivering less.

“It’s unacceptable.”

Newquay town councillor Steve Slade added: “These cuts to child protection will have real consequences for children in Newquay.

“The Greens are showing there’s a better way – one that prioritises people over waste and delivers real value for our communities.

“Here in Newquay, we’re proving that it’s possible to deliver more for communities without increasing council tax.

“Through careful financial management and a focus on people-first policies, we’ve been investing in frontline services with more public toilets than ever before, in the town’s youth with the youth centre and new play park coming this year, and in protecting our environment through our work on installing solar, electric vehicles, tree planting and biodiversity protection policy.

“We only wish Cornwall Council would learn from this.”