RESIDENTS in Launceston are set to be paying more for their council tax - as the local town council decided on an 18 per cent increase in their precept.  

Following last year’s zero per cent increase, the town council have announced that there will be a hike for the 2024/25 period.  

The 18 per cent figure will mean a ‘Band D’ property’s annual contribution will rise to £324.37, which is the equivalent to an extra 97p per week or £50.27 per year.   

A spokesperson for the council explained: “The town council requires an increase in its element of the overall council tax bill for households. For 2024/25 we will require a precept of £1,049,424. This is an increase of £170,173 from last year. 

“The town council aims to keep costs to a minimum for all residents, however some of those costs cannot be avoided, such as the increase we have faced in our insurance policy as well as for all the utilities we have to cover at all of our sites.”  

The council has reiterated that this increase is necessary to ensure funding is available for its ‘essential services’.  

A spokesperson continued: “We want to ensure we continue to provide essential services for the town and to endeavour to maintain these to the levels that are expected. In addition to the ongoing maintenance of our open spaces, play parks, public toilets, cemetery, information centre, venues and library, we are undertaking a large improvement plan to the services we offer and this includes the new skate park, the complete renovation and refurbishment of Lawrence House Museum and the purchase and development of the former Barclays Bank building that will become our new library.  

“We are also undertaking essential repairs to the Town Hall Clocktower as well as building a fit for purpose compound for our Grounds Maintenance team to provide safe and secure facilities for all of our grounds work equipment and provide proper staff amenities. We are also working in partnership with Cornwall Council to take over the ownership and maintenance of the Ridgegrove open space area and the nature trail and open space at Windmill Hill. The budget also provides grants of £40,750.

“A number of the projects have only been possible by the securing of grant funds, and we will continue to work towards seeking grant funding for as many projects as we are able. To date we have secured in excess of £2.1-million towards the costs of projects for the improvement of the town.”