THE reason why Falmouth residents will be paying more on their council tax next year has been addressed by a Labour councillor.

Last week Falmouth Town Council voted to increase its precept in April 2022 by 2.94% - for a Band C property that is 81 pence a month and for Band D 91 pence.

Addressing why the council tax had to rise again despite last year's big 21% rise, Cllr Jude Robinson explained in a Facebook post that pressures continued for town council.

She said with a National Insurance increase from government, the national pay agreement for staff of around 5%, increased costs for utility bills and equipment, recovery from Covid as income levels from venue hire were still down and the projects that members of the community want to happen, the tax had to rise.

"Support from Cornwall Council has also reduced," she said. "Students (who bring such a lot to our town) do not pay council tax and there are unfortunately some second home owners who avoid paying either council tax or business rates. It all adds up."

She explained that a couple of years ago a peer review identified some risks to the council in the way it was running, so they had rejigged and recruited.

"Our auditor also told us that our general reserves were too low and our four year plan will address that by building up without, we hope, any more big rises for residents. That will also give us more flexibility in future budgets," she said.

"Cemetery provision will run out in a few years and we will need to prepare our new site off Bickland Water Road. This will bring in income - but not until it is up and running and in the meantime needs to be made accessible and attractive.

"Our lovely Municipal Building is in need of repairs. We can't do them all at once but some things are urgent. The Princess Pavilion has been sadly neglected over the last few years and this year we will be looking at how we can improve the site, generate renewable energy and find funding to help. We have delayed the works though."

Projects the council are currently working on include the Dracaena Skatepark and the Kimberley Park Lodge in partnership with SourceFM for which she says the council is applying for grant funding.

The council is also launching a consultation with residents on improvements to the Trescobeas recreation area and has applied for grant funding for a Changing Places toilet at Grove Place.

They also want to install play equipment for disabled children in Kimberley Park, plant trees and provide more benches and 'pocket parks' for local people. As well as reducing carbon emissions.

"We will be looking around for cheaper and greener utility deals and ways to generate more income," she said.

"The Princess Pavilion is going brilliantly and we are working on how to build income from this and the Atherton Suite over the next few years - Covid knocked back our plans for the Old Post Office and Atherton Suite but we are recovering.

"So, for a 91p a month increase, this is what we are providing over the next year."