St Helens Labour has set out and secured approval for its 2026/27 budget—delivering a fair and responsible plan that protects vital frontline services, supports families, and invests more than £150 million into communities across the borough.
Agreed at Full Council, the budget marks a decisive shift from years of austerity, focusing on delivery, growth, and support for residents. It safeguards the essential services people depend on every day, including children’s services, adult social care, waste collection, recycling, and road maintenance—ensuring no community in St Helens is left behind despite continued financial pressures facing local government.
Alongside protecting core services, the Council will invest more than £150 million in regeneration and infrastructure. This includes major town centre developments, improvements to schools and SEND provision, enhanced leisure services, and a £17 million highways programme—supporting jobs, strengthening local businesses, and restoring pride across the borough.
Residents will also receive a detailed newsletter alongside Council Tax letters this month, outlining the full range of services delivered by the Council.
Leader of the Council, Anthony Burns, said:
“We weren’t satisfied with the initial settlement we were given, so we made the case directly to Government. This has been a real team effort. Working alongside our Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, and our MPs David Baines and Marie Rimmer, we have fought for St Helens at every level.
“We made that case both in Westminster and here in our communities—when Minister Alison McGovern MP visited Parr and Clock Face, and when Minister Jim McMahon MP visited Haydock. They listened, and together we have secured additional funding to protect services and begin rebuilding after years of austerity.
“Because of that work, for the first time in many years, we are able to offer tangible new benefits for residents.”
As part of the additional funding secured, the Council has announced four major new initiatives:
- Free school uniforms for every child in the borough
- Free town centre parking for up to three hours to support residents and businesses
- A “Pride in Place” grant scheme for communities in every area of the borough
- Increased investment in parks and green spaces, including the return of Park Rangers
Further details on these initiatives will be shared in due course.
Councillors also approved the Revenue and Capital Budget for 2026/27, setting out how the Council will continue to prioritise support for the most vulnerable. Around two-thirds of revenue spending will continue to fund children’s services and adult social care, ensuring residents receive the care and support they need close to home.
Cllr Burns added:
“Each year our budget is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to residents. This year, we are investing in regeneration, supporting businesses through measures like free parking, and giving our young people the best start in life through school improvements, SEND investment, and help with the cost of uniforms.
“For the first time in a long time, this budget is not defined by cuts—it is defined by delivery. Whilst other areas are proposing reductions, we are able to give residents something extra. This is the difference a Labour Government makes.”
The budget also sets out Council Tax plans for 2026/27, including a 2% Adult Social Care precept and a 2.99% general increase to help fund essential services. This is expected to raise approximately £5.1 million, with around 85% of households paying less than an additional 23p per day.
Cabinet Member for Finance and Adult Social Care and Health, Andy Bowden, said:
“Council Tax remains one of the key ways we fund the essential services residents rely on every day. Without this increase, we would face difficult decisions about cutting those services.
“We understand that any increase is challenging, which is why we have also approved our Council Tax Reduction Scheme to support residents facing financial hardship.”
The budget has also been shaped by a new three-year funding settlement from central government, providing greater certainty for long-term planning. Following sustained lobbying, the Council has secured an additional £14.7 million in funding over the next three years.
Cllr Burns said:
“This additional funding will help us ease the pressures we have faced year after year and allows us to continue protecting services while investing in a brighter future for St Helens.
“This is a budget from a party that represents the whole of our borough without seeking to divide or play off one part of our community against each other. Labour is the only party able to offer that.
This is a transformational budget—focused on growth, fairness, and opportunity—and one we are proud to deliver for our borough.”
Reform, Tories and some Independents voted against this and proposed to make cuts, voted to increase council tax and supported an amendment that the monitoring officer said would create “Long Term Pain” to our borough.