Council tax payers face 6% hike

Council tax payers are questioning how money is spent

Residents in part of Cornwall face council tax hikes in April because a council has to tackle a budget deficit of nearly £1m.

Restormel Borough Council is considering a minimum council tax rise of 6%.

Local people have questioned the way the authority has handled its finances.

Members of the council are to meet this week to discuss where they can recoup the money.

Staff costs have risen due to the national negotiations for pay

Gareth Pinwell,
Council Chief Executive

Residents in the Restormel area say they resent paying more council tax and want an improvement in services for their money.

One St Austell resident said: "It is disgusting. Why should the public make up the cash? They're always crying out that they're short of money."

A local pensioner said: "We don't get any rises as a pensioner but we have to find all this extra money."

Assistant Chief Executive Gareth Pinwell said: "We have a deficit of £961,000.

"Some of that arose from increases in staff costs due to the national negotiations for the pay of staff.

"There are also borough and parish elections which are forthcoming in May. We have to arrange the literature and the polling stations.

Match funding

"There is also the proposed town centre redevelopment in St Austell. We are demolishing the car park which will lead to a further loss in income."

On top of that, Restormel has set another £800,000 for projects such as match funding for Objective One plans.

Members of the council will meet this week to discuss budget estimates and on 10 February to discuss which areas need cutbacks.

A decision on how much Restormel residents will pay is expected after Cornwall County Council sets its council tax rates.