Penzance Residents to See Council Tax Precept Increase in 2024/25

In a decisive move to manage local services and public facilities, Penzance Council has voted to increase the council tax precept for the financial year 2024/25. This decision, made during the Full Council Meeting on January 15, is set to affect every household in the Penzance Parish, at varying degrees based on their Council Tax Bands.

For a Band D property, the annual precept will see a real-term increase of £21.34, marking a 7.12% hike. However, it’s notable that 80% of households in the Parish fall under Council Tax Bands A-C, and these households will see a smaller increase, capped at £18.97 per year or less.

Mayor Cllr Stephen Reynolds emphasised the council’s awareness of the challenging times and the efforts made to minimise costs and increase income generation. “These measures have significantly reduced the level of precept increase needed for the upcoming year,” he stated.

It’s important to note that this increase pertains only to the section of Council Tax allocated to the town council, not the total Council Tax bill. Cornwall Council and the Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner, who together account for the majority of the total bill, are yet to decide their precepts for the upcoming financial year.

Penzance Council’s commitment to local services is evident in its extensive list of amenities and initiatives funded by the precept.

All the money that residents pay to Penzance Council is spent within the parish across Penzance, Newlyn, Mousehole, Paul, Heamoor, Gulval and Eastern Green. The money is used to provide local services and maintain public facilities including, but not restricted to:

• 7 Public Toilets and the Community Toilet Scheme
• An Anti-Social Behaviour Caseworker
• 19 CCTV cameras in Penzance Town Centre
• Wherrytown Skateboard Plaza
• Penlee Park
• Penlee House Gallery & Museum
• Alexandra Play Park & Tennis Courts
• Heamoor Old School Field
• Parish-wide weeding – around 120km of pavements across the whole Parish
• Watering the hanging baskets in the town centre during the summer
• Penzance Town Christmas Lights & Christmas Tree

A full list of Penzance Council services is available online: www.penzance-tc.gov.uk/what-we-do

In addition to these services, the Council also extends support to local organisations through grant funding, with over £85,000 awarded this year to various groups. The Council’s strategic funding for the Golowan Festival and the Pengarth Day Centre’s ‘Meals on Wheels’ program are highlights of its community support.

Concerning the Jubilee Pool’s financial struggles and revised seasonal opening plans, the Council has set aside a provisional £40,000 budget for 2024/25, subject to satisfactory business plans and a legally binding agreement.

The Council ensures thorough scrutiny and public participation in its budgeting process, involving independent accountants specialised in Local Government finance. Residents facing difficulty in paying their Council Tax are encouraged to contact Cornwall Council’s Benefits Team for potential support.

This precept adjustment by Penzance Council underscores its commitment to sustaining and enhancing local services and facilities, even in the face of economic challenges, aiming to strike a balance between fiscal responsibility and community welfare.