On Monday [January 27], Truro City Council set its budget for the financial year commencing April 2025. It has been set below what was anticipated and has been through a rigorous review by councillors, who are conscious of the cost-of-living pressures on residents.

It will put the council at a strong position going forward, with the forecast for future budgets to increase by no more than 2% by 2027.

Despite having to absorb an unexpected increase (over £50,000) in employer National Insurance costs, the overall budget will increase typical household spend by £19 for the year, or 36p per week.

Following Cornwall Council’s creation in 2010, a massive drop in central government funding threatened many services which were subsequently devolved to town and parish councils. In 2009, there was only one parish council in Cornwall with a budget over £1m. There are now more than 20 - the largest number anywhere in the country - and budgets in general have quadrupled to protect essential services from closure.

Truro City Council is now responsible for parks and open spaces, sports facilities, public toilets, the library and the cemetery. We help to fund the anti-social behaviour officer in partnership with the BID, run a community development scheme working with nine residents' groups around the city, and host the Visitor Information Centre in Boscawen Street.

This has resulted in a significant increase to the budget and size of the council over recent years. Unlike Cornwall Council, Truro City Council receives no government funding; everything it spends has to be raised through the council tax or by generating income.

The council is also responsible responsible to the Town Deal Board for over £10 million of new investment with the objective to create prosperity, new jobs and revitalise the city centre. Projects include a new sports pavilion at Boscawen Park, and the New Life the City Buildings initiative to create residential accommodation above commercial premises.

The council is required to maintain a level of reserves so it can continue to provide services in case of emergencies like the COVID pandemic. We are on track to comply with national guidance, and will have over £750,000 - equivalent to three months’ operating costs - in reserves by the end of next year to deal with any future emergency.

I’m very proud of the work the city council does, and the achievements in recent years. We’ve worked hard to put the council on a sound financial footing while maintaining high quality services. While we had to make a modest increase this year, mainly due to inflation, I think 36p per week for the average household represents good value for money and will enable costs to be controlled for future years.