CAMELFORD Town Council has increased its precept for 2020-21 by 9.69%.

The council has looked at the income and expenditure budget for the next financial year over four meetings, while also looking forward to medium term budget requirements.

The recommendations went to full council on December 17.

The income and expenditure from the previous three years, the current year and potential for next year was reviewed, and working groups and committees were asked to put forward their budget requirements.

These include staffing, Enfield Park, office, town maintenance, library, play areas/skatepark, events and car parks.

The council noted the inflationary rise of 0.6% increase on precept in 2018-19, 3.5% in 2019-20 and the current RPI is 2.4%.

The discussions for income lines noted £6,500 car park income; £1,450 grants/donations; 11,792 Cornwall Council council tax support grant; £3,500 interest from reserves; £1,000 from allotments; £686 for Local Maintenance Partnership.

Meanwhile, discussions on the expenditure lines noted a 24% increase on administration — £23,400; a 22% decrease on accommodation — £14,150; a 7.7% increase on staff — £139,500; a 9% decrease on car parks — £25,325; no change on parks and recreation, with repairs, new equipment and projects included — £25,400; 27% increase on grants — £9.350; 13% decrease on town maintenance, overseeing projects such as CCTV and public toilets — £17,000; 10% increase on community assets such as the Christmas lights and defibrillator servicing — £13,800; 400% increase on allotments — £3,000; 75% decrease on the cemetery plans, with orchard and hedge maintenance — £700; and a 254% increase on the library, with operations, utilities and building modifications — £13,500.

The 2019-20 precept totalled £237,214. The council resolved to precept for the difference between income and expenditure at £260,197, representing a 9.69% increase in precept.

Mayor of Camelford Claire Hewlett said: “The rise will enable us to maintain our current service levels for essential services like the library and the public toilets. ‘Big ticket’ items for the coming year will include a new zip wire for Enfield Park, a new Wallgate (hand washing unit) in the public toilets, plus some additional funding for the Christmas lights.”

For all the details about Camelford Town Council’s precept, go to www.camelford-tc.gov.uk/budget-precept-report-2020-21/