While councillors have agreed to increase Falmouth council's Christmas budget this year, there has been a call for members to consider cutting it for 2018.

For several years Falmouth Town Council has agreed to match fund the amount raised by the community, but this has so far been pegged at £10,000. Members of its finance committee were last week asked to consider increasing that amount this year as the community has been more productive, raising £12,700 so far.

Town clerk Mark Williams told councillors that as the amount raised has increased, town manager Richard Gates has requested that members look at setting "a more realistic" match funding figure. "We are looking at £2,500 from general reserves from this year and a more realistic budget for next year and the year after," said Mr Williams.

This was generally met with some concern by councillors. "I am just thinking that £10,000 could be our limit," said Alan Jewell.

Finance committee chair, Candy Atherton, added: "I propose we will match it this year from general monies, which we can do, and ask for an appraisal of what they anticipate it will be next year, and look at that next year.

"We hope a lot of people will come into Falmouth and spend in our shops, pubs and restaurants and help us continue to be a vibrant town."

However, councillor Roger Bonney, is not happy increasing the money given, or indeed the £10,000 previously agreed. "I think £10,000 is a considerable amount of money to match things," he said. "Finances are getting crippling high for people in the community so we have to keep our budget as tight as we can.

"I can go along with it this time as long as we are looking at it again for next year. I would like to see it cut back, personally."

Mayor, Grenville Chappel proposed that the council agree to up its Christmas match funding to £12,500 for this year and to look at it further for future years. All committee members agreed, apart from Mr Bonney who abstained.