Council Tax Increase in Penzance to Fund Local Services and Improvements
Penzance Council has approved a council tax hike to enhance local services for residents
Penzance, Cornwall, Council Tax, Local Services, Budget
Penzance: The seaside town is gearing up for a council tax increase. The local council has decided to raise the tax to provide better services for everyone living there.
During a recent council meeting, they voted to adopt a new budget that includes a 1.8% rise in the precept. For those in a band D property, that means an extra £5.82 a year.
Most homes in Penzance fall into bands A-C, so many residents will see a smaller increase—around £5.18 a year or just about 10p a week. Not too bad, right?
Meanwhile, Cornwall Council has been hitting second homeowners with a much bigger tax increase. They doubled the council tax for those properties last October. It’s all part of a bigger budget plan to cover a gap of over £9 million.
Penzance’s tax hike will stack on top of that, but the council is trying to keep it manageable. Councillor Nigel Pengelly mentioned that it’s a big win to keep the rise under two percent, especially with all the financial pressures out there.
They’ve got big plans for the town, and this budget increase, while small, will help them deliver more services. The money collected goes right back into the community, funding things like public toilets, CCTV, and even local events.
They’re also supporting community projects, like the Golowan Festival and various local groups. Plus, they’ve set aside funds for the Pengarth Day Centre, which helps older residents with meals and activities.
Mayor Stephen Reynolds expressed his satisfaction with the budget, highlighting that they can still provide quality services while keeping costs low for residents. It’s all about smart financial management.
For anyone curious about what services Penzance Council offers, they’ve got a full list available online. It’s great to see the town working hard to improve local life!