COUNCIL tax looks set to increase by 4.99 per cent in St Helens.

The medium-term financial strategy for 2023-2026, as well as revenue and capital budget for 2023-24, will come before the cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday.

The plans would 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.

The cabinet is recommended to make a recommendation to council to approve the proposals.

Setting the budget

In her report to cabinet, the council’s executive director of corporate services Cath Fogarty says the budget is “affordable, meets the needs of the residents of St Helens, and complies with the agreed priorities and budget strategy” of the council.

She also states that it is “imperative” that the savings options agreed are progressed and delivered in 2023-24 and over the medium term in order to provide a balanced budget for 2023-24 and to reduce the forecast future funding gaps.

“Work will be undertaken during 2023-24 that will be pivotal in developing the strategies and actions to protect the council’s financial and operational stability over the longer term and reports will be presented to cabinet in the next financial year to agree future actions,” she adds.

“The council has ambitious capital plans over the medium term and a number of strategic capital schemes have previously been identified for 2023-24, alongside pipeline schemes for future years.

“These include investment in highway and property assets, regeneration of the borough and its localities, and invest to save schemes.

“The council’s financial strategy is to build its level of reserves over time to ensure both future long-term sustainability and sufficient resources are available to provide resilience from the uncertainties in Government funding and finance reform.”

Furthermore, the council says that increasing council tax will provide “sustainable income” to the council which will help to protect the delivery of statutory functions and other vital services at a time of “increasing service demands” and with the “challenging” economic/inflationary environment.

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