REDUCING and controlling anti-social behaviour and making St Austell feel safer has been identified as a top priority for the town council in the new civic year.

New St Austell mayor Cllr Colin Hamilton told fellow councillors that money has been allocated to add to the town’s CCTV system.

He also said that the council will continue to invest in street wardens and campaign for more help with anti-social behaviour issues from Cornwall Council.

The mayor went on to say that the play equipment installed by the former Restormel Borough Council in 2008-09 is requiring more and more maintenance and will need replacement in due course. A programme to replace the ageing equipment has been drawn up with the cost estimated to be more than £1-million. The town council has started to put money aside to meet the cost.

Councillors were told that with the planned development of the Penwinnick Road site for housing, it is likely the council will have to move offices within the next five years. More clarity from developers Treveth about the future of the council’s office and depot is expected in the coming months.

Cllr Hamilton said St Austell Library, which is run by the council, continues to provide a busy community hub and is the second busiest library in the county.

Regarding planning and regeneration, the council is expecting to feed into the development of a new local plan and housing targets by Cornwall Council. An initial submission covering the St Austell area has been sent to the unitary authority.

Meanwhile, the mayor said the town council is committed to supporting the town centre and its revitalisation. The council took over responsibility for the town centre planting last year and has agreed to carry this on in the new civic year.