Penzance Council’s 1.8% Precept Rise: What It Means for Households and Services

Penzance Council has approved a new budget that will see an increase in local services and grants for community groups, all while keeping the precept rise for households at its lowest level in years. The decision was made at the Full Council Meeting on 13th January, where councillors voted unanimously to adopt the budget and earmarked reserves for 2025/26.

Minimal Increase for Most Households

The precept rise equates to £5.82 per year for a Band D property—an annual increase of just 1.8%. However, as 80% of households in Penzance Parish fall into Bands A-C, most residents will see an increase of £5.18 or less—just 10p a week.

This modest rise has been made possible due to a newly introduced Second Home Council Tax premium. Cornwall Council has agreed to charge second homes an additional 100% on their Council Tax from 1st April 2025, bringing in extra revenue for the parish. With 434 Band D equivalent second homes contributing, this has helped reduce the precept increase.

What Does the Precept Cover?

Penzance Council’s share of the Council Tax bill represents 13% of the total amount paid by households. The remaining 87% goes to Cornwall Council and the Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner.

The precept funds a range of local services and facilities across the parish, including:

• 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
• Princess May Recreation Ground
• 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 and Christmas Tree

A full list of services can be found on the Penzance Council website: www.penzance-tc.gov.uk/what-we-do.

Increased Grant Funding for Community Groups

In response to a surge in grant applications during 2024, Penzance Council has increased its grant funding budget for 2025/26. The extra funding will help support more local organisations working to aid residents affected by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Over £60,000 in grants was awarded in the current financial year to organisations such as Growing Links CIC, MusicAbility CIC, Penzance Rotary Club, and the Montol Festival CIC.

New Services and Sustainability Focus

The precept rise will support:

• An additional service level agreement with Sustainable Penzance
• Continued street marshal patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour
• Footpath maintenance improvements
• Graffiti clean-ups
• The redevelopment of the Coach House café, including new educational and retail spaces at Penlee House Gallery & Museum

Major Events and Community Support

The Golowan Festival remains a key part of the town’s cultural identity. Penzance Council has secured a three-year agreement with Golowan Festival CIC to ensure the event continues, including dedicated youth provisions for Mazey Day.

Funding of £24,200 has also been allocated to Pengarth Day Centre, supporting their ‘Meals on Wheels’ service and activities for older residents at their Morrab Gardens hub.

“High-Quality Services with Minimal Impact”

Stephen Reynolds, Mayor of Penzance, highlighted the Council’s efforts to balance service improvements with financial responsibility:

“This budget shows that with prudent financial management, it’s still possible to provide high-quality local services and increase grant support for our amazing community groups, while keeping the impact on hard-pressed residents to the minimum.”

Nigel Pengelly, Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, praised the work of council officers in keeping costs low despite growing pressures on local authorities:

“Penzance Council has ambitious plans for the town and this budget increase—although just 1.8%—will enable the council to deliver these services.”

Precept Process and Financial Oversight

The budget was developed following reviews by the Council’s Arts & Culture, Finance & General Purposes, and Leisure & Amenities Committees. Meetings were open to the public and press, ensuring transparency. Independent local government accountants also examined the proposed budget to provide financial advice.

Residents struggling to pay their Council Tax can seek support from Cornwall Council’s Benefits Team by visiting Council Tax Support or calling 0300 1234 121.

Penzance Council remains committed to investing in the local community while keeping household costs as low as possible.