Truro City Council has agreed its budget for the financial year 2026–2027, following careful and considered discussion about the challenges facing both the Council and residents.
The proposed budget reflects the need to balance rising costs and responsibilities, including the impact of inflation, meeting priorities identified through last year’s resident survey and the subsequent 2026–2030 Strategy, increases in the Real Living Wage and general inflation. Truro City Council remains committed to operating in an efficient, economic, and sustainable manner, while continuing to ensure value for money for residents.
After detailed consideration, the decision to increase the council tax precept by 9.3% was agreed at the Full Council meeting held on Monday 26th January 2026, supported by a majority of the councillors present.
The Truro City Council budget for 2026–2027 has been set at £3,527,562, which equates to an increase of approximately 75p per week for a Band D household.
The Council is mindful that any increase in council tax is difficult, particularly during a period of continued cost-of-living pressures. Councillors sought to keep the increase as low as possible while ensuring the Council can continue to meet its responsibilities, support local services, and invest in the long-term wellbeing of the city.
The Mayor of Truro, Councillor Chris Wells, said: “The Council is grateful for the many residents who told us in last year’s survey what they felt Truro City Council’s priorities should be. These have been taken into account in setting the strategy for the next four years and in setting the budget for the forthcoming municipal year.
Despite making significant cost savings in our Parks and Gardens Department, the council has had to raise the precept by a little more than was forecast last year to cover a 6.8% increase in the Real Living Wage, higher National Insurance contributions, plus the costs of maintaining high quality facilities for our residents and visitors. The decision has not been taken lightly, and we hope that making the right decisions now will lead to less pressure to make similar increases in the next few years.”
David Rodda, Town Clerk, said: “The 2026/27 budget setting process has been informed by the 2025 Resident Survey and Councillor input, and is set at a level that will enable Council to continue to deliver a range of services to the residents of Truro, whilst also increasing spend in areas identified as being important in the resident survey. These include improved communications, more events, and activities designed to help improve high street vitality.
On top of increases linked to inflation, we have also increased the budget allocated for the replacement and refurbishment of play areas across the city, and refurbishment works necessary to ensure that our heritage assets and community buildings remain fit for purpose. In supporting the budget, Councillors were clear that over the remainder of their term they want to see the operating cost of the Council reduce, so I will be working with my team to explore options to deliver on that aspiration over the next few months.”
