Penzance Council aims to improve services despite lowest precept rise in over 10 years
Councillors have voted to keep costs to residents down
Penzance Council will be investing heavily in local services despite setting the lowest precept rise in over a decade for the 2026/27 financial year.
From 1st April, nearly £3 million will be allocated across the parish, of which £2,528,957 will come from the the council tax share that goes to Penzance Council.
For a Band D property, this equates to a real-term increase of just two pence per week – a rise of only 0.3% annually for each household.
Stephen Reynolds, Mayor of Penzance, said: "At a time when many local people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, it’s welcome news that our Council has been able to keep the precept rise so low, while also enhancing the services we provide to the local community.
"It's the most difficult moment for us as town councillors when we decide how much we're going to take out of the pockets of our neighbours and our fellow citizens for the next year and that really, really concentrates the mind.
"You have to think 'I'm taking this money from my next door neighbour and putting it into the Council and if I don't spend that money wisely when I walk down the street, people challenge you'. So it's actually a real responsibility.
"It’s a testament to how a combination of prudent financial management, efficient and dedicated staff, and councillors with the community’s interests at heart can deliver quality public services without breaking the bank."
The council plans to boost local services by expanding its Leisure & Amenities Team.
Additional staff members will allow more maintenance and improvement works and facilitate taking on further devolution opportunities from Cornwall Council.
Over the past decade, the Council has successfully taken over management of sites such as public toilets, Alexandra Play Park & Tennis Courts, Foxes Lane Play Park, and Princess May Recreation Ground.
Another key project involves refurbishing and expanding the entrance and shop at Penlee House Gallery & Museum which is set to enhance the visitor experience and increase sales, ensuring the sustainability of this cultural hub.
Existing services to continue
Penzance Council’s investment will also maintain a range of existing services, which include:
- 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
- Foxes Lane Playpark, Mousehole
- Parish-wide weeding – around 120km of pavements across the whole Parish
- Watering the hanging baskets in the town centre during the summer
- Wellfields Car Park
According to Stephen Reynolds, such investments are possible due to careful financial planning: "I think it's basically we have some very, very good people working for us who are very committed to doing what I might call the boring stuff really well.
"For example, we run a lot of play areas and we have a very, very rigorous regime of maintenance and safety checks throughout the year on a rolling basis. This prevents unexpected issues and ensures everything runs smoothly.
"Similarly, we conduct regular tree surveys and manage budgets meticulously. It’s the basic but essential tasks like these that allow us to stay in control financially while still delivering quality services. It’s not just about having ambitions but scaling them to our resources."
The Council’s approach contrasts with many councils across the country, which are facing cuts or higher costs for residents.
Cornwall Council has proposed a maximum council tax increase of 4.99%. The final decision is set to be made in February.