Cabinet commit to budget plans that will invest and support those in need
Plans that will drive investment in the services that make a significant difference to residents every day move forward.
Article date: 26 February 2026
The St Helens Borough Council Revenue and Capital Budget 202/27 will move to Full Council next month for final approval by all councillors after Cabinet backed the transformational budget which sets out how the council will deliver its ambitious growth plans across the borough, while making sure essential services that residents depend on continue to deliver.
Councillor Andy Bowden, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health, and temporary portfolio holder for finance, said: "This is a budget plan that has been built around what is best for the people of our borough. We understand the burden of Council Tax on our residents, but we would not be acting in the best interests of the thousands of families who rely on our support every day.
"At our Cabinet meeting we discussed the cost demands that services like children's and adult social care have on our finances, which account for around two thirds of our revenue budget. If you are fortunate enough to have not used either of these services, it might be easy to wonder where the funding goes - but I see daily the difference these services make to thousands of residents who's lives would be deeply impacted if we did not fund them as they need to be.
"This budget will help us to unlock more of our own services such as funding for children's homes and increasing the number of local foster carers that will not just give the most vulnerable children in our borough the opportunity to stay connected to their home communities but also help reduce costs in the long term.
"The Adult Social Care Precept was brought in to support council's delivery of this vital service as we seeing an ever-growing aging population and finding ways to support your relatives and friends live happy and engaging lives at any age.
"This is the next step in approving our transformational plans for St Helens Borough with the plans now finally going to our Full Council meeting next month for all councillors to approve."
The budget also includes investment in the once-in-a-generation transformation of St Helens and Earlestown town centres, including the transformation of The Gamble Building to become the borough's living room, alongside investment in roads and schools.
The final budget will be voted on at Full Council on Wednesday 4th March.