Opposition councillors on St Helens Council have been criticised after putting forward an alternative budget that as well as increasing council tax would have increased costs for residents, cut services and created what the Council’s Monitoring Officer warned would cause “long term pain”.
The proposal, backed by most opposition councillors, was defeated at Full Council after Labour councillors rejected the plan in favour of a budget that protects services and invests in communities.
Under the opposition proposals:
Council Tax would still increase by 3.6%, while failing to explain how the budget would be balanced in years two and three.
More than 700 council fees would increase by 7%, including green bin charges, market stall fees at Earlestown Market, pest control services, leisure centre charges, children’s sports pitch hire, and burial and wedding fees.
Businesses and community groups leasing council buildings could also face increased rents.
Labour councillors also warned the proposals would damage essential services and local traditions.
The opposition budget suggested reducing the Council’s IT licensing, which would jeopardise access to modern systems including Microsoft Office and specialist software used by planning, registration and other services such as use of technology to support people living independently.
It also proposed cutting the civic and non-statutory events budget by up to £150,000, which could mean ending events such as Remembrance Sunday ceremonies in St Helens and Earlestown, Armed Forces Day, and awards recognising local community groups, as well as putting staff who support council meetings at risk.
Further proposals included cutting up to £200,000 from the overtime budget, which could impact winter gritting, emergency flood response and out-of-hours support for vulnerable residents.
Opposition councillors also proposed saving £125,000 through “accommodation rationalisation”, but failed to explain which council buildings would be affected—raising concerns about the future of facilities such as libraries, leisure centres or community buildings.
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Residents deserve honesty about what these proposals would really mean. The opposition budget would have increased charges for residents, created uncertainty about vital services, and – as our Monitoring Officer warned – risked causing long-term pain." - Cabinet member for Finance, Cllr Andy Bowden
Cabinet member for Finance, Cllr Andy Bowden said:
“Residents deserve honesty about what these proposals would really mean. The opposition budget would have increased charges for residents, created uncertainty about vital services, and – as our Monitoring Officer warned – risked causing long-term pain.
“They talked about a smaller Council Tax increase, but at the same time they planned to raise hundreds of council fees and cut essential budgets without explaining how their plan would work in the years ahead.
“That is not a responsible way to run a council.”
Councillors instead approved Labour’s 2026/27 budget for St Helens, which protects frontline services while investing more than £150 million in regeneration, infrastructure and community improvements across the borough.
The budget safeguards vital services including children’s services, adult social care, waste collection and road maintenance while introducing new initiatives such as free school uniforms for every child, free town centre parking for up to three hours, community “Pride in Place” grants and increased investment in parks and green spaces.
Cllr Bowden added:
“For the first time in many years, our budget is not defined by cuts – it is defined by delivery.
“While others proposed reductions and higher charges, Labour has delivered a fair and responsible plan that protects services, supports families and invests in the future of St Helens.
