MAINTENANCE of the environment and safeguarding existing public services are the priorities for the next financial year for Camelford Town Council.

The council last week set its budget for 2016-17, which will come into effect on April 1. It aims to preserve existing services such as Enfield Park and playground, public toilets, Churchfield car park, town maintenance, events and allotments.

This year the council began new projects, including a Neighbourhood Plan, a document which helps shape development in Camelford for the coming decades, and which is hoped to be completed in 2016.

A new bus shelter is due to be installed in January on Clease Road; a much needed addition as it is a busy stop for college students and other service users.

Major emerging projects for the council include comprehensive flood defences along the River Camel in Enfield Park; the opening of the new cemetery at Lanteglos; and the improvement of the public realm near the old town hall.

Events will also see investment, following the successes in 2015 of the Spring Fair, Music in the Park event in August, and the Christmas events and fireworks.

Cuts at Cornwall Council level mean that the town council is forced to accept a reduction of approximately £2,000 in grant income. Despite this, good financial management means that reserve funds can be used in conjunction with a rise in the precept to deliver a wider breadth of services. The current rate of tax received by the town council from residents in Camelford is £2.60 per week for a D-band household — next year this will be £3.77.

Town clerk Lee Dunkley said: “The town council are taking a considered decision to invest in Camelford, which comes in the context of cuts from other tiers of government to services and the environment generally.

“Major flood prevention works and public space improvements, coupled with an enhanced grants budget to assist other groups with community-minded projects means that Camelford is continuing along its path of being a vibrant local community.”