St Helens has been chosen as one of 100 prospective recipients of a £3.6 billion Towns Fund. Set up by the government, pots of funding of up to £25 million are available – see https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/843843/20191031_Towns_Fund_prospectus.pdf.

As part of the bidding process for the Towns Fund, each local authority must convene a Town Deal Board led by the private sector and in collaboration with public and third sector partners.

The first meeting of the St Helens Town Deal Board took place today at the town hall, with representatives from local private, public and third sector organisations.

Council Leader David Baines says: “Thank you to all those from the local private, public and third sectors who came to St Helens town hall today for the first meeting of our Town Deal Board. Your advice, experience and skills are going to play a key role in our regeneration journey.

These are exciting times for St Helens, and I look forward to working on the Town Deal Board and beyond with all our partners, as we try to unlock the full potential of our amazing borough.”