ST HELENS Council’s leader insists a “responsible” proposed budget “protects frontline services” in the borough while allowing regeneration work to continue.
The revenue and capital budget 2026/27 report was discussed at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
The report set out more than £150 million which is committed for investment in projects like the “once-in-a-generation” transformation of St Helens and Earlestown town centres, including the transformation of The Gamble Building, alongside investment in leisure, roads and schools – which are all key components to the proposed budget.
The council has highlighted that this is on top of continuing to provide the hundreds of services residents use every day including green spaces, highways maintenance, recycling and business support, among others.
Following backing by the cabinet, the budget will now go to full council for approval next Wednesday.
The budget is split between revenue and capital spending; revenue is the spending that comes from a mixture of council tax, business rates and Government grants, and helps to fund the day-to-day services like adult social care, children’s services, waste and recycling collections and much more. Capital spending is funded through a mixture of grants, money raised from sales of council assets and prudential borrowing.
The report also set out the council’s plans for council tax for 2026/27.
The cabinet has recommended to council to approve a 2026/27 Band D council tax of £1,975.65, which equates to a council tax increase consisting of a two per cent adult social care precept and a 2.99 per cent general council tax increase – a total of 4.99 per cent.
During the cabinet meeting, council leader Cllr Anthony Burns said: “I think we’ve all kind of gone through the ramifications of this.
“I think in the papers before you we’re recommended to approve first of all and importantly a balanced and responsible revenue and capital budget for 2026-27 – one that reflects Labour values of fairness, opportunity and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.
“A budget very much shaped by the priorities of this Labour administration, supporting inclusive growth across our borough while safeguarding the essential services residents rely on every day.
“Our revenue budget prioritises people, it protects frontline services, it protects support for children and families, for adult social care, for waste collection and recycling, and maintaining our roads, ensuring that no one in St Helens is left behind.
“And alongside this, our capital budget sets out a huge bold programme of investment, over £150 million to drive regeneration, to create jobs, and restore pride in our borough.
“This is a fair and responsible budget, and one that protects the most vulnerable, invests in our future, and continues the regeneration of our borough.”
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