”The decision by the Lib Dem controlled County Council to proceed with the unitary bid in the face of public opposition is quite simply a betrayal of democracy,” says Green councillor Paula Richards.

Paula added: “If the Unitary Authority is going to be foisted upon Cornwall, there needs to be a genuine attempt to pass some of the district council functions down to the parish and town councils. There are a number of services where local councils could take over responsibility. This could be an opportunity to bring services closer to local people rather than having remote control from County Hall.”