RESIDENTS in Bude and Stratton are set to pay more after the local council voted to increase council tax.

At a recent full council meeting, Bude-Stratton Town Council approved its budget for the 2026/27 financial year. During the meeting, councillors agreed a precept for the coming year, amounting to £1,490,743.

This will mean residents will see a rise in the amount of council tax they are paying - the hike equating to a 6.7 per cent increase.

This will result in a Band D Council Tax contribution of £333.88 per annum, an increase of £20.87 compared to the last financial year.

While residents’ council tax is only decided in-part by the local council, it comes after Cornwall Council announced plans for a full 4.99 per cent increase.

Commenting on the county-wide hike, council leader Cllr Leigh Frost said: “None of us want to raise household bills, but to be clear, without this income, we would not be able to sustain the services so many people rely on every day.”

Bude-Stratton Town Council has defended the increase, stating that funds support a wide variety of community services, including plans for the redevelopment of the town’s skatepark.

A spokesperson from Bude-Stratton Town Council said: “The town council precept funds a wide range of local services and community assets, including parks and gardens, play areas, public toilets, the library, The Castle Heritage Centre, Parkhouse Centre, and public spaces across the town. Plans for 2026/27 also include the redevelopment of the skatepark.

“The town council precept forms part of the overall council tax bill, which is set by Cornwall Council and includes funding for other services such as adult social care, waste collection, police, and fire services.”