TOWN councillors in St Austell have agreed the wording of a leaflet which explains why the council’s precept – the council tax it charges – is going up by around 9.2 per cent from April.

The council runs the town library which is open six days a week and offers a range of services. The leaflet points out that the library is one of the busiest in the county with around 270 people visiting the building every day.

The leaflet also states that the council is a Living Wage employer and that inflation and National Insurance changes have increased staff and running costs.

The leaflet goes on to say: “During the year we have continued to invest in and enhance parks and play equipment and during the summer months we carried out the grass cutting on the highway verges and in residential areas on behalf of Cornwall Council.

“The town council is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and to planting and maintaining trees and pollinators across the town.

“Since 2017, the town council has planted 644 trees, created a number of wildflower areas and has recycled plants and shrubs where it can.

“The town council has co-ordinated an extensive town centre improvement project with a partnership representing businesses, councillors and the voluntary sector with funding from Cornwall Council.

“An improvement plan has been completed [in 2022] and this year funding has been obtained to replace the faded banners on the Poundland building and create a piazza and sustainable planting at Holy Trinity Church.

“The town council has worked closely with Cornwall Council, the police and other agencies to reduce anti-social behaviour in and around the town centre.

“The measures undertaken include funding for security staff (jointly with St Austell BID) and the maintenance and day/night monitoring of over 20 CCTV cameras in and around the town centre.”