Launceston Town Council is the parish authority for the town of Launceston (which has a population of approx 7,000), and is the third tier of government after Parliament and Cornwall Council. Its legal powers are granted to it and regulated by various Government acts.
Cornwall became a Unitary Authority in April 2009 and as a result of this, it is hoped that many of the local responsibilities carried out by the former North Cornwall District Council will be passed on to town and parish councils to manage. Launceston Town Council is keen to take on a number of tasks but no decisions have yet been made.
The Town Council supplements the provision of local government services in Launceston, and provides a range of social and recreational facilities, while promoting and representing the town with other national and statutory bodies.
For example the Town Council acts as a consultee and lobbying force with the county council, and both regional and national government, putting forward the wishes and needs of the local community. Cornwall Council, which covers the whole of the county, consults with the Town Council on such subjects as the County Structure Plan, Launceston planning applications and the Local Transport Plan.
Cornwall Council is responsible for education, social services, highways, fire and rescue, strategic planning, libraries, development control, environmental health, refuse collection, economic development, tourism and major recreational facilities.