COUNCIL tax will increase by 4.99 per cent in St Helens after being approved at the Town Hall – despite concerns it will “take even more from struggling people”.

The medium-term financial strategy for 2023-2026, as well as revenue and capital budget for 2023-24, came before full council at its meeting on Wednesday.

Council tax rise

The Labour-run council’s proposals were approved following a vote.

It will see a Band D council tax of £1,707.13 for 2023-24 – which excludes parish precepts.

It equates to a council tax increase of 4.99 per cent, and it includes a two per cent adult social care precept.

Council leader Cllr David Baines, Labour, shared his views during the meeting.

He said: “It goes without saying this is one of the most difficult things that we choose to do, but it’s not more difficult than having to cut and close essential services, which is what the money generated from this will save.

St Helens Star: Cllr David BainesCllr David Baines (Image: St Helens Council)

“It will save around £4 million worth of essentials services because services can’t be run on thin air – and because the Government grant has disappeared, evaporated over the last 13 years.

“It was 64 per cent of the council income in 2010, came from central Government, this year it’s just six per cent.

“We need to fund essential services, it’s as simple as that.

“It’s a very difficult decision, but as I say, it protects £4 million worth of services.”

Cllr Terence Maguire, of the Newton-le-Willows Independents, stated that the tax rise “on top of all other price increases being incurred by hard-hit families, does not allow my heart to vote in favour of such an increase”.

He said: “I understand that budget savings are needed and books need to be balanced but I cannot vote for a tax rise that will take even more from the struggling people of this borough that (at) times may go without.”

Funding gap of £22m

The council has said that, with a funding gap of more than £22 million for the next three years in the forecast for the revenue budget, the council must take “tough decisions to plug the gap”.

Therefore, a range of savings options have been developed.

After “extensive public consultation”, which saw almost 1,000 people respond to what they valued, some of these suggested savings have been removed from the programme this year, including the “rationalising of children’s centres and early help services”.

The council says the survey also showed that 56 per cent of those who took part agreed or strongly agreed to council tax rising by 2.99 per cent with a two per cent social care precept added, to make council tax increase by 4.99 per cent.