Council tax rise and budget approved by St Helens Council

The proposed medium-term financial strategy 2025-2028, as well as revenue and capital budget 2025-26, were approved following a vote at the full council meeting on Wednesday.

The proposals include a 2025-26 Band D council tax of £1,881.75 – which equates to a council tax increase of 4.99 per cent, including a two per cent adult social care precept.

Cllr Martin Bond, the council’s cabinet member for finance and governance, said “our priorities in this administration are to look after the most vulnerable first” and highlighted that is where the “majority of the money goes”.

He also praised the financial management of the authority by its “fantastic staff” over the past 15 years.

“Keeping the wolf from the door while strengthening its capacity to look after the most vulnerable, despite increasing cost and demand in those high-spending areas,” said Cllr Bond.

“You are a real credit to yourselves, this authority and your commitment to public service is stunning.”

He added: “We have to think about who will be affected the most if we cut services even further, and it will be those vulnerable children and it will be those vulnerable adults.”

Cllr Terry Maguire, independent councillor for the Newton-le-Willows West ward, shared his views.

He said: “Every year, we face the challenge of voting on our budget.

“Today, I stand in opposition to the budget that contains a proposed 4.99 per cent council tax increase.

“Instead, I advocate for a budget that raises council tax in line with inflation.”

Cllr James Tasker, an independent councillor for Rainhill, said: “I understand the difficulties in trying to set a balanced budget, and whilst it is welcome to see that the Government is slightly increasing funding for councils, it’s disappointing that we are still seeing austerity being implemented in St Helens and across the country.

“As a representative for Rainhill, I cannot in good conscience vote for this budget and the subsequent tax rises.”

Labour’s Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron, the deputy council leader, said “nobody has proposed an alternative”.

He added: “They have said we’d like not to raise council tax – great, so would we, but we have the reality of running the council.”