A KEY focus on revitalising St Austell town centre is being maintained by the town council.

Efforts to revamp the shopping area and make people proud of where they live and work have once again been made priorities by the council.

The authority’s main aims for 2024/25 were agreed at its annual meeting.

A number of schemes involving the town centre revitalisation partnership are in the pipeline including the ambitious rooftop garden project above Old Vicarage Place.

Alongside the potential projects, the council is also committed to continued partnership working to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Mayor Cllr Crystal Pearce said: “The town council remains in partnership with Newquay Town Council to run a CCTV service for Newquay and St Austell which is the envy of many towns in Cornwall, particularly as the Tolvaddon CCTV service is now likely to close leaving a lot of towns in Cornwall having to procure alternative CCTV provision.

“We are now on summer hours which means that the cameras are monitored almost 24/7 with most parts of the town centre covered by CCTV.

“The town council’s mobile CCTV camera has been successful in a couple of areas around the town with one placement resulting in a closure order and the other experiencing a substantial reduction in anti-social behaviour.”

Meanwhile, more re-lining is planned at the council’s Priory Car Park.

Cllr Pearce said: “New car park payment machines were installed in Priory Car Park at the beginning of the year which, after a few teething problems, are now working well. People visiting can pay by cash, contactless, mobile app and a QR code payment system or they can purchase a season ticket.

“The faded white lines have been re-painted in the top section of the car park and the council also facilitated the installation of EV charging points which it is hoped should increase the footfall in the town centre.

“A business rates assessment for the car park was successfully challenged and has achieved a saving of £36,000 for the council.”