ST AUSTELL Town Council will be increasing its precept – the council tax it charges – by around 9.2 per cent in April.

Town councillors have voted for the increase which will mean a Band D property will see its precept charge increase by £16.61 a year from £180.60 to £197.20.

The precept for the 2025-2026 financial year will bring in an expected £1,301,000 for the council which has an annual turnover of over £1,500,000.

The council owns and manages 17 parks and open spaces, and leases and manages the Priory and Tregonissey Lane End car parks, the House youth centre, the town library and offices at the Stable Block at Pondhu House off Penwinnick Road.

In addition, the council maintains grass verges, roundabouts, closed cemeteries, footpaths and a number of parcels of land under an agreement with Cornwall Council.

A report to councillors said: “All of these functions have been delivered and service improvements made with a small team of employees while keeping the council tax below most comparable town councils in Cornwall.

“The town council is very lean with 21 staff currently employed. Contractors are utilised from time to time to support various services.”

The report said that Cornwall Council was facing tremendous pressure to cut costs and this could result in the town council having to pick up more services.

The report continued: “Cornwall Council is also undertaking a wide-reaching property review and redeveloping the Penwinnick Road site which might impact adversely on the town council’s property costs.”

Councillors voted for the around 9.2 per cent increase in the precept to allow for, among other things, rising running costs because of inflation, increased employer National Insurance charges following the government’s Budget, a four per cent staff pay award, a £30,000 budget for events, council expenses around the elections in May this year, £25,000 for pump priming grant applications with regard to improving the town centre and a £43,000 contingency fund to cover unforeseen expenditure.