Cabinet approve plans for £115 million investment for 2025/26

Article date: February 26 2025

Councillor Martin Bond, Cabinet Member for Finance and Governance, said: "This year's budget comes at a pivotal time for our borough when we will start to see huge changes to areas like St Helens and Earlestown town centres as once-in-a-lifetime regeneration projects hit the stages where we will see spades in the ground. Yet not only does this budget commit £115 million in capital funding for projects such as these, it also outlines investment in schools, children's and adult services and so much more alongside the day-to-day services we deliver every day.

"The new Government has recognised the considerable financial pressure councils like ours have faced from reductions in Central Government funding over the last 15 years and has injected funds into key areas such as children's services, special educational needs, adult social care and homelessness."

The Cabinet voted to move the budget to Council, who will meet next week on Wednesday 5^th March for its final sign off.

Councillor Bond added: "We continue to face significant budget challenges, and some difficult choices have been necessary. However, we are continually delivering on essential services in the most efficient and effective ways, by transforming what we do and using technology to deliver better services.

"But, like virtually all councils across the country, we are also having to increase Council Tax by 4.99 per cent. Two per cent of this increase will be used to support adult social care. The other 2.99 per cent will then be used to maintain other vital services that you, our residents need.

"It's not an easy decision to raise Council Tax and we recognise the financial pressures on you and your families, however approximately 85 per cent of households will pay no more than an extra 22p per day to help maintain vital services.

"But without raising Council Tax we would have to dramatically cut back or stop running some of our services that support residents across St Helens Borough."

Alongside the budget plans councillors also approved plans for support for those who may struggle to pay Council Tax. For more information about the help and support available visit www.sthelens.gov.uk.