KEY figures representing various sectors across the borough came together for the inaugural meeting of the St Helens growth board.

Business leaders joined St Helens Council’s leadership and representatives from St Helens Chamber, Homes England, Torus and St Helens College to lay the foundations for a future ‘brimming with growth and opportunity’.

The growth board will focus on delivery over six themes – economic development, business engagement, employment and skills, town centre regeneration, housing development, and green growth.

Cllr Kate Groucutt, cabinet member for business, skills and economy, said: “The St Helens growth board has been formed at a pivotal time with such a diverse range of schemes that will provide transformational growth for our borough.

“We are committed to realising the full potential of our borough by bringing key figures together to work collaboratively on the skills, jobs and regeneration opportunities that will build a brighter future for St Helens borough.

“The collective expertise of our board members and their resounding commitment to St Helens, along with the support of local businesses, will help us navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

“The St Helens growth board’s commitment to promoting sustainable investment and creating new opportunities aligns with St Helens borough’s rich history of innovation and industry.

“The current outlook with investments such as Glass Futures, Parkside, the English Cities Fund regeneration of our town centres, and so many more projects, the St Helens growth board is well placed to help maximise their positive outcomes.”

The board will meet regularly to discuss the challenges and opportunities; focus on making sure that growth has a positive impact on communities, in line with the council’s inclusive growth strategy; looking at ‘innovation in sustainable and green developments to meet with the demands that climate change will have on businesses and much more’.