PRESS RELEASE

St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council Announces Budget and Precept Increase for 2025/26

St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council has agreed its budget and precept for the 2025/26 financial year, ensuring that essential services, community facilities, and new responsibilities continue to be delivered for the benefit of residents.

The precept will increase to £435,750 to meet rising costs and support additional responsibilities, such as taking on new assets from Cornwall Council.

For residents, this means the following –

• Band D property: £191.89 per year
  • Annual increase: £13.92
  • Equivalent to just £1.16 per month or 27 pence per week.
• Band B property (the most common in Cornwall): £149.25 per year
  • Annual increase: £10.83
  • Equivalent to only 90 pence per month or 21 pence per week.

Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr Julie Broad, explained: “We work hard to deliver the services and facilities that residents expect and deserve. This year’s increase is a small but necessary step to keep our community thriving and well-maintained. Whether it’s emptying bins, maintaining public spaces, or improving community assets, we remain committed to providing value for money.”

The budget reflects the growing needs of the parish and several key challenges –

• New responsibilities: The Parish Council is taking on additional assets from Cornwall Council, ensuring they are properly cared for and maintained.
• Rising litter bin costs: The cost of emptying public bins has tripled under Cornwall Council’s new waste arrangements. Unfortunately, much of this increase is due to domestic waste incorrectly being placed in public bins.
• Inflation pressures: Rising costs for staffing, utilities, and materials impact all areas of council operations.

Cllr Andrew MacCreadie, Chairman of the Finance & Policy Committee, added: “We’ve worked hard to balance the budget while keeping the increase as low as possible for residents. For most households, this equates to just 21 pence a week—less than the price of a chocolate bar.

 Part of this increase is related to ongoing issues with illegal fly-tipping. Since Cornwall Council implemented its new waste collection arrangements in January 2024, there has been a significant rise in fly-tipping and the illegal dumping of household waste around our parish, particularly in or near parish council owned and maintained litter bins. The parish council bears the cost of removing this rubbish, resulting in a modest increase in the 2025/2026 precept.

 Fly-tipping is not only illegal and expensive to address, but it is also unsightly, attracts vermin, and can contribute to the spread of diseases. If you witness any instances of this activity or come across discarded rubbish, please report it to the parish council office for proper handling.

 The other increases in funds allow us to take on new assets, improve public spaces, and address rising costs without cutting services.

Careful financial management has allowed us to maintain reserves, but inflation and operational demands mean that a precept increase is necessary. The Council is committed to being transparent, efficient, and focused on delivering value for money while meeting the needs of our growing parish.”

The Parish Council is proud to maintain its focus on sustainability, community development, and delivering services that matter most to residents.

For more information or queries, residents are encouraged to contact the Parish Council office.

ENDS

Notes:

• The precept is the portion of Council Tax collected on behalf of the Parish Council to fund local services.
• To view the full budget or learn more, visit https://ststepheninbrannel-pc.gov.uk/council/council-finances/ or contact the Parish Office.