Council tax payers in Falmouth will see a small reduction in their annual bill after it was confirmed the precept will be reduced after 91 homes were found to be incorrectly allocated to Penryn.

At a meeting of Falmouth Town Council's finance and general purposes last week, finance officer Ruth Thomas confirmed that the bill will drop from 2.94% to 1.83% for a band D home. 

The reduction comes after Cllr David Saunby discovered that money from 91 new build homes was allocated to Penryn rather than Falmouth where it should go.

Labour councillor Jayne Kirkham said this was "Brilliant news".

The 91 tax paying houses are in the new Union Corner Estate, Kergilliack Road and Oakland Parc which were originally identified as being in Penryn instead of Falmouth following boundary changes.

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Speaking to the Packet Cllr Saunby said while it wasn't a massive deduction it could mean that the precept wouldn't have to rise next year.

"I am quite happy that I discovered this extra precept," he said. "The money could have been going into the coffers of Penryn. It was just by chance that I discovered this.

"It's only a small reduction but a small reduction is better than no reduction.

"We'll have to see how it goes next year. There are other houses still being built. With next year's budget, hopefully new houses coming on-line so next year we won't have to make an increase."

The precept is the town council’s share of the council tax. The precept demand goes to the billing authority, Cornwall Council, which collects the tax for the town council.

The 'precept' is converted into an amount per Council Tax Band that is added onto the Council Tax bill.

The discovery means a council gain of around £30,000.