Halton: what’s happening where you live

Halton's Delivery and Allocations Local Plan provides for at least 8,050 new homes between 2014 and 2037.

“During the period 2014 to 2037 provision will be made for the development of at least 8,050 (net) additional dwellings”

Halton Borough Council, 2 March 2022. Read 25 September 2026. Policy continues: 'At an average of 350 dwellings (net) each year.' Cover states 'Adopted : 2nd March 2022'. The planning policy page says Halton is preparing to review its Local Plan; a 'New Local Plan Timetable' went to Executive Board on 18 June 2026.

Halton's Executive Board agreed to accept Liverpool City Region transport funding, including Active Travel Fund grants, in January 2026.

“The Board considered a report of the Executive Director - Environment and Regeneration, that sought approval to accept capital funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) in compliance with Standing Orders.”

Halton Borough Council, 15 January 2026. Read 25 September 2026. Executive Board 15 Jan 2026, item 87 'Additional Highway Grant allocations'. Same minute: 'Halton had now received: · a grant of £190,000 as part of the Active Travel Fund 5;' and '£564,556.12 had been allocated for Pre-Development Work of the Transport Pipeline projects'. No transport consultation found on the council's consultations page (which says consultations are promoted via relevant pages and the newsroom).

Council set Halton's 2026-27 Band D council tax at £1,938.81, a 4.99% increase.

“adopt the resolution set out in Appendix A, which includes setting the budget at £224.237m, the Council Tax requirement of £71.959m (before Parish, Police, Fire and LCR Combined Authority precepts) and the Band D Council Tax for Halton of £1,938.81;”

Halton Borough Council, 4 March 2026. Read 25 September 2026. Council 4 March 2026, minute COU69 (RESOLVED). The 4.99% figure is from the Executive Board budget report (https://councillors.halton.gov.uk/documents/s81876/Exec%20Board%202026-27%20-%20Budget%20Report%20v11.pdf), para 3.10.5: 'This is an increase of 4.99% (£92.15 per annum or £1.77 per week) over the current year.' Para 3.10.4 records that Halton applied to MHCLG for a 7.99% increase and that 'On 9th February 2026, Government confirmed that they would not grant any additional council tax flexibility to Halton for 2026/27.'

Halton Borough Council has a net zero carbon target of 2040 for its own operations.

“Becoming climate friendly will mean Halton achieving its net zero carbon target of 2040, 10 years ahead of the current Government target year of 2050.”

Halton Borough Council, undated. Read 25 September 2026. Page states the council declared a climate emergency on 16 October 2019 and that by 2040 'Halton Borough Council’s own operations will aim to be' climate friendly, ready and just.

Halton's Executive Board agreed to open consultation on closing, federating or merging several Runcorn primary schools because of surplus places.

“RESOLVED: That the Board supports the strategic approach and proposal to: 1) proceed with opening an initial public consultation on the closure, federation or merger, including through academisation, of The Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, St Edwards Catholic Primary School, Woodside Primary School and Brookvale Primary School;”

Halton Borough Council, 18 June 2026. Read 25 September 2026. Executive Board 18 June 2026, minute EXB5 'Surplus Primary School Places - Key Decision' (draft minutes published in the 9 July 2026 agenda pack). The resolution also covers Weston Point Community Primary, Westfield Primary, Bridgewater Park Primary and Palacefields Primary Academy. Report: consultation July-September 2026, with 'a further report to the Council in Autumn 2026'.