Weekly columns from Council Leader David Baines:

4th January 2021: New national lockdown and government delay

11th January 2021: Economic Recovery Plan and Labour’s End of Year Review

18th January 2021: Mass vaccination site at Saints

25th January 2021: Response to letter about Home Bargains and delivering a balanced plan for the borough

1st February 2021: Town Deal Bid for £38m funding

9th February 2021: Our new Arts Strategy

16th February 2021: Elections going ahead

23rd February 2021: Building back better and our new Borough Strategy

1st March 2021: Chalon Way demolition and regeneration projects

9th March 2021: Council budget and a tribute to our NHS heroes

16th March 2021: Positive news around the borough and award-winning council projects

23rd March 2021: Lockdown anniversary, and building back better

30th March 2021: Improvements to Children’s Services and the Council recognised by DfE and LGA

6th April 2021: Support for businesses reopening, and the upcoming elections

13th April 2021: Effect of lockdown on young people, and supporting local businesses

20th April 2021: Freedom of the Borough for the NHS, and our new volunteer strategy

27th April 2021: International Workers’ Memorial Day

11th May 2021: Local elections response

18th May 2021: Annual council

25th May 2021: Sutton Manor colliery banner, and our library strategy consultation

8th June 2021: National Volunteers’ Week

15th June 2021: Extension of lockdown restrictions and putting blame where it lies

22nd June 2021: Refugee Week

29th June 2021: Armed Forces Day

6th July 2021: The decision to lift restrictions

13th July 2021: The Euros, racism, and The Prime Minister

20th July 2021: What a fantastic week for St Helens – Cabinet, £25m Town Deal funding, and Saints

10th August 2021: Challenging some of the myths about our town centre

17th August 2021: Tackling the Climate Emergency

24th August 2021: Supporting local businesses

Read it first each week in the St Helens Star.