A SERIES of public information and listening events about the future of the borough's town centres will be held this year, the new leader of St Helens Council has said.

Delivering his inaugural speech at the annual mayor making dinner, Councillor David Baines outlined that town and village centre regeneration would be a priority along with the need to deliver more affordable homes by developing brownfield sites or transforming existing housing.

He also said that residents won't accept councillors talking about what can't be done because of government cuts – and that "we have to start talking about the good things we are doing and can do despite them".

Speaking at the event in Colours restaurant, Councillor Baines said: "St Helens and Earlestown aren’t alone in facing the difficulties and consequences of changing shopping habits. Our high streets and town centres across the borough should be a source of civic and community pride but that’s not currently the case.

"We have to learn from other areas which have perhaps been quicker to respond to the changing landscape. We have to take advice from those in the industry who understand retail and leisure, and we have to listen to residents about what they would like to see.

"Work has been ongoing behind the scenes for some time, but I’m making it a priority for the council this year, and before the year is out we will hold public information and listening events setting out potential options."

St Helens Star:

A proposed vision for St Helens town centre

Councillor Baines, 39, who grew up in Haydock, added that with "the cap lifted on local authorities being able to borrow to build", he has instructed officers to look at ways of delivering new homes.

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He said: "All options need to be explored, whether that’s transforming existing housing or regenerating brownfield sites."

But he added that it is not enough to change just the physical place and set out a need to tackle inequality and make sure everyone in St Helens has access to the same opportunities in life.

St Helens Star: Shut out of new homes debate

Cllr Baines says affordable housing is a priority

Other priorities include protecting the most vulnerable residents and communities from the worst of government cuts by investing in children’s services and adult social care, supporting those who find themselves living on the streets or in insecure accommodation; to improve mental health services and prevent suicide.

The council will also look to increase recycling by providing new receptacles for waste, he added.

The new leader touched on the nine years of austerity that has seen the council suffer £90 million of year on year cuts.

But he added: "Residents won’t accept us only talking about what we can’t do because of government cuts – we have to start talking about the good things we are doing and can do despite them.

"We’re an attractive place to live and work, halfway between Liverpool and Manchester, next to two major motorways and the East Lancs; our diverse and strong communities like Rainhill, Haydock, Newton, Rainford and Billinge, making us stronger than the sum of our parts; historic buildings such as the Gamble and Earlestown Town Hall, both of which this Labour Council is committed to protect."

St Helens Star: Parkside

Developing the former Parkside pit site has long been an aspiration of the council

He also pointed to plenty of opportunities for future industry and innovation at sites such as Parkside, adding: "Creating thousands of jobs and attracting millions of pounds of inward investment, we can be an actual living and breathing Northern powerhouse and not just a government slogan."