Borough of Halton

{{Short description|Unitary authority area in Cheshire, England}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Borough of Halton

| settlement_type = Borough and unitary authority

| image_skyline = The Silver Jubilee Bridge, Runcorn-Widnes - geograph.org.uk - 3854211.jpg

| imagesize =

| image_alt =

| image_caption = Aerial view of the Silver Jubilee Bridge and the two towns of Runcorn (left) and Widnes (right)

| image_flag =

| flag_alt =

| image_shield = Coat of Arms of Borough of Halton.svg

| shield_alt =

| shield_link = Halton Borough Council#Coat of arms

| image_blank_emblem =

| blank_emblem_size =

| blank_emblem_type =

| blank_emblem_link =

| etymology =

| nickname =

| motto = {{langx |la|Industria Navem Implet |translation=Industry Fills the Ship}}

| image_map = Halton UK locator map.svg

| mapsize =

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Halton shown within Cheshire

| pushpin_map =

| pushpin_map_alt =

| pushpin_map_caption =

| pushpin_mapsize =

| pushpin_label_position =

| coordinates = {{coord|53|20|42|N|02|44|19|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}

| coor_pinpoint =

| coordinates_footnotes =

| subdivision_type = Sovereign state

| subdivision_name = United Kingdom

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = England

| subdivision_type2 = Region

| subdivision_name2 = North West

| subdivision_type3 = Ceremonial county

| subdivision_name3 = Cheshire

| subdivision_type4 = City region

| subdivision_name4 = Liverpool

| established_title = Incorporated

| established_date = 1 April 1974

| established_title1 = Unitary authority

| established_date1 = 1 April 1998

| named_for = Barony of Halton

| seat_type = Administrative HQ

| seat = Municipal Building, Widnes

| parts_type =

| parts =

| government_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/councildemocracy/Council.aspx |title=Council and Democracy |website=Halton Borough Council |access-date=19 May 2024}}

| government_type = Unitary authority

| governing_body = Halton Borough Council

| leader_title = Executive

| leader_name = Leader and cabinet

| leader_title1 = Control

| leader_name1 = {{English district control|GSS=E06000006}}

| leader_title2 = Leader

| leader_name2 = Mike Wharton (L)

| leader_title3 = Mayor of Halton

| leader_name3 = Kevan Wainwright

| leader_title4 = MPs

| leader_name4 =

{{Unbulleted list

| Mike Amesbury (L)

| Derek Twigg (L)

}}

| total_type =

| area_footnotes = {{United Kingdom district population citation|area}}

| area_total_km2 = 90

| area_land_km2 = {{English district area|GSS=E06000006}}

| area_water_km2 =

| area_rank = List of English districts by area

| population_footnotes = {{United Kingdom district population citation}}

| population_as_of = {{English statistics year}}

| population_total = {{English district population|GSS=E06000006}}

| population_rank = List of English districts by population

| population_density_km2 = {{English district density|GSS=E06000006}}

| population_demonym =

| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity (2021)

| demographics1_footnotes = {{NOMIS2021|id=E06000006|title=Halton Local Authority|access-date=8 August 2023}}

| demographics1_title1 = Ethnic groups

| demographics1_info1 =

{{Collapsible list

| 96.5% White

| 1.4% Mixed

| 1.1% Asian

| 0.6% other

| 0.4% Black

}}

| demographics_type2 = Religion (2021)

| demographics2_footnotes =

| demographics2_title1 = Religion

| demographics2_info1 =

{{Collapsible list

| 58.6% Christianity

| 35.2% no religion

| 0.6% Islam

| 0.3% Hinduism

| 0.2% Buddhism

| 0.1% Sikhism

| 0.0% Judaism

| 0.4% other

| 4.6% not stated

}}

| timezone1 = GMT

| utc_offset1 = +0

| timezone1_DST = BST

| utc_offset1_DST = +1

| postal_code_type = Postcode areas

| postal_code = {{Hlist | L24 | WA4 | WA7 | WA8 }}

| area_code_type = Dialling codes

| area_code = {{Hlist | 0151 | 01925 | 01928 }}

| iso_code = GB-HAL

| blank1_name = GSS code

| blank1_info = E06000006

| website = {{URL|https://www.halton.gov.uk}}

| module =

| footnotes =

}}

The Borough of Halton ({{IPAc-en|h|ɒ|l|t|ə|n}}) is a local authority district with borough status in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, North West England. It is administered by Halton Borough Council, a unitary authority since 1998.{{cite web |url=http://www2.halton.gov.uk/yourcouncil/unitaryauthority/?a=5441 |title=Unitary Authority |publisher=Halton Borough Council |access-date=19 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922014516/http://www2.halton.gov.uk/yourcouncil/unitaryauthority/?a=5441 |archive-date=22 September 2008}} The borough contains the towns of Runcorn and Widnes and the civil parishes of Daresbury, Hale, Halebank, Moore, Preston Brook, and Sandymoor.{{cite web |url=http://councillors.halton.gov.uk/mgParishCouncilDetails.aspx |title=Parish Councils |access-date=19 July 2018 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |archive-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719174150/http://councillors.halton.gov.uk/mgParishCouncilDetails.aspx |url-status=live }} Since 2014, it has been part of the Liverpool City Region and the council is a member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The neighbouring districts (clockwise from west) are Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens, which are fellow boroughs of the Liverpool City Region, and Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester in Cheshire.

History

File:The ruins of Halton Castle looking towards the Mersey Gateway in Runcorn, Cheshire, England.jpg overlooking the Mersey Gateway Bridge]]

The River Mersey marks the boundary of the historic counties of Lancashire (to the north) and Cheshire (to the south). Before 1974, Widnes was administered by the Municipal Borough of Widnes in Lancashire, and Runcorn by Runcorn Urban District Council in Cheshire.

The 1969 Redcliffe-Maud Report recommended reforms to local government in England, including the abolition of all existing local government areas. They were to be replaced by mostly unitary authorities with the exception of three two-tier metropolitan areas to be called Merseyside, SELNEC (an acronym of South East Lancashire & North East Cheshire), and West Midlands. Runcorn and Widnes would form part of the new Merseyside Metropolitan Area under a district called 'St Helens-Widnes'.{{cite book |title=The process of local government reform 1966–74 |last=Wood |first=Bruce |year=1976 |publisher=Allen and Unwin |location=London |isbn=0-04-350052-8}}

The proposals were broadly accepted by the then Labour government but set aside by the incoming Conservative government following the 1970 general election which it had fought on a manifesto pledge to introduce a system of two-tier local government.{{Cite web |title=1970 Conservative Party Manifesto |url=http://www.conservativemanifesto.com/1970/1970-conservative-manifesto.shtml |access-date=2020-10-18 |website=conservativemanifesto.com |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604112722/http://conservativemanifesto.com/1970/1970-conservative-manifesto.shtml |url-status=live }} The Local Government Act 1972 created new metropolitan counties around Liverpool (as Merseyside) and Manchester (as Greater Manchester) but Runcorn and Widnes would not be allocated to either. Instead, Widnes and Warrington would be moved into the non-metropolitan county of Cheshire, with Widnes joining Runcorn to create the new non-metropolitan district of Halton. The name of the new district was inspired by the ancient Barony of Halton which had possessed land on both sides of the river. The district was established on 1 April 1974. In addition to Runcorn Urban District and the Municipal Borough of Widnes, parts of Runcorn Rural District and the parish of Hale from Whiston Rural District were incorporated into Halton.

On 1 April 1998, Halton became a unitary authority, independent of Cheshire County Council. However, it continues to be served by Cheshire Police and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, and forms part of Cheshire for ceremonial purposes. On 1 April 2014, Halton became part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, joining the local authorities of Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley and St Helens; the five metropolitan district councils which constitute the county of Merseyside. As a unitary authority, Halton's status is similar to the metropolitan district councils.{{Citation |last=Clay |first=Oliver |title=Halton to become part of Liverpool city region |series=Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News |url=http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-news/runcorn-widnes-local-news/2009/01/15/halton-to-become-part-of-liverpool-city-region-55368-22691583/ |access-date=2009-01-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727022041/http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-news/runcorn-widnes-local-news/2009/01/15/halton-to-become-part-of-liverpool-city-region-55368-22691583 |archive-date=27 July 2011}}

Demographics

=Population growth=

The population of Halton is {{English district population|GSS=E06000006}} ({{United Kingdom statistics year}}). Although the borough was only created in 1974, the change in population since 1801 has been calculated by adapting historical census data to modern boundaries.{{cite web |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/about/faq_statistics/3 |title=FAQ: Working with our Statistical Data |website=A Vision of Britain Through Time |publisher=University of Portsmouth |access-date=11 August 2023 }}

class="wikitable" \|+ Population growth in the Borough of Halton since 1801{{cite web \|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10057036/cube/TOT_POP \|title=Halton UA through time - Population Statistics \|website=A Vision of Britain Through Time \|publisher=University of Portsmouth \|access-date=11 August 2023 \|archive-date=20 July 2020 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720223441/https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10057036/cube/TOT_POP \|url-status=live }}
Year	Population	Change as %
1801 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 6,460 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| —
1811 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 7,491 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +16.0%
1821 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 8,962 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +19.6%
1831 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 10,918 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +21.8%
1841 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 13,364 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +22.4%
1851 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 16,296 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +21.9%
1861 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 17,678 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +8.5%
1871 \| style="text-align:right;" \| — \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| —
1881 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 46,181 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| —
1891 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 58,042 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +25.7%
1901 \| style="text-align:right;" \| — \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| —
1911 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 56,656 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| —
1921 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 61,977 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +9.4%
1931 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 64,979 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +4.8%
1941 \| style="text-align:right;" \| — \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| —
1951 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 80,072 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| —
1961 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 82,119 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +2.6%
1971 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 99,749 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +21.5%
1981 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 129,187 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +29.5%
1991 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 128,525 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| −0.5%
2001 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 118,242 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| −8.0%
2011 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 125,746 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +6.3%
2021 \| style="text-align:right;" \| 128,478 \|\| style="text-align:right;" \| +2.2%

class="wikitable"

|+ Population growth in the Borough of Halton since 1801{{cite web |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10057036/cube/TOT_POP |title=Halton UA through time - Population Statistics |website=A Vision of Britain Through Time |publisher=University of Portsmouth |access-date=11 August 2023 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720223441/https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10057036/cube/TOT_POP |url-status=live }}

Year

Population

Change as %

1801

| style="text-align:right;" | 6,460 || style="text-align:right;" | —

1811

| style="text-align:right;" | 7,491 || style="text-align:right;" | +16.0%

1821

| style="text-align:right;" | 8,962 || style="text-align:right;" | +19.6%

1831

| style="text-align:right;" | 10,918 || style="text-align:right;" | +21.8%

1841

| style="text-align:right;" | 13,364 || style="text-align:right;" | +22.4%

1851

| style="text-align:right;" | 16,296 || style="text-align:right;" | +21.9%

1861

| style="text-align:right;" | 17,678 || style="text-align:right;" | +8.5%

1871

| style="text-align:right;" | — || style="text-align:right;" | —

1881

| style="text-align:right;" | 46,181 || style="text-align:right;" | —

1891

| style="text-align:right;" | 58,042 || style="text-align:right;" | +25.7%

1901

| style="text-align:right;" | — || style="text-align:right;" | —

1911

| style="text-align:right;" | 56,656 || style="text-align:right;" | —

1921

| style="text-align:right;" | 61,977 || style="text-align:right;" | +9.4%

1931

| style="text-align:right;" | 64,979 || style="text-align:right;" | +4.8%

1941

| style="text-align:right;" | — || style="text-align:right;" | —

1951

| style="text-align:right;" | 80,072 || style="text-align:right;" | —

1961

| style="text-align:right;" | 82,119 || style="text-align:right;" | +2.6%

1971

| style="text-align:right;" | 99,749 || style="text-align:right;" | +21.5%

1981

| style="text-align:right;" | 129,187 || style="text-align:right;" | +29.5%

1991

| style="text-align:right;" | 128,525 || style="text-align:right;" | −0.5%

2001

| style="text-align:right;" | 118,242 || style="text-align:right;" | −8.0%

2011

| style="text-align:right;" | 125,746 || style="text-align:right;" | +6.3%

2021

| style="text-align:right;" | 128,478 || style="text-align:right;" | +2.2%

=Religion=

File:Widnes St Mary's.jpg]]

In the 2021 census, Christianity was the main religion in Halton at 58.6%, above the national average for England of 46.3% but down from 75% in 2011. 35.2% stated that they had 'no religion'. Those stating their religion as Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh or other amounted to 1.6%.

=Ethnicity=

In the 2021 census, 96.5% of Halton residents identified as White and 3.5% as non-White or mixed. 95.2% were born in the United Kingdom.

Governance

File:Runcorn Town Hall.jpg]]

Halton Borough Council is a unitary authority responsible for most local government functions within the area. The Labour Party has controlled the council since it was created in 1974.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/08/html/et.stm |title=Halton |access-date=2010-03-03 |work=BBC News Online |date=19 April 2008 |archive-date=5 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505073556/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/08/html/et.stm |url-status=live }}

On 1 April 2014, Halton became one of the six constituent local government districts of the Liverpool City Region governed by the Combined Authority.{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/262083/Proposal_to_establish_a_combined_authority_for_Greater_Merseyside_-_Consultation_v1.pdf |title=Proposal to establish a combined authority for Greater Merseyside |publisher=Department for Communities and Local Government |date=November 2013 |access-date=10 December 2013 |archive-date=11 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211150509/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/262083/Proposal_to_establish_a_combined_authority_for_Greater_Merseyside_-_Consultation_v1.pdf |url-status=live }}

Since the 2024 general election, the borough has been split into the two constituencies of Widnes and Halewood and Runcorn and Helsby, and held by Derek Twigg and Mike Amesbury respectively, both of the Labour Party.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Mark |date=5 July 2024 |title=Labour take Runcorn and Helsby as Tories finish third |url=https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/24432269.labour-take-runcorn-helsby-tories-finish-third/ |work=Runcorn and Widnes World |location= |access-date=6 July 2024}}{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Mark |date=5 July 2024 |title=Derek Twigg wins Widnes and Halewood seat for Labour |url=https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/24432229.derek-twigg-wins-widnes-halewood-seat-labour/ |work=Runcorn and Widnes World |location= |access-date=6 July 2024}}

Economy

File:Chemical works, Weston Point - geograph.org.uk - 998845.jpg

In 2021, the borough's total GVA was £4.0 billion with a total GDP of £4.5 billion.{{cite web |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/datasets/regionalgrossdomesticproductlocalauthorities |title=Regional gross domestic product: local authorities |last=Fenton |first=Trevor |date=25 April 2023 |website=Office for National Statistics |access-date=13 December 2023}} GVA per capita in Halton was £31,390 and GDP per capita was £34,985, the highest in the Liverpool City Region.

In 2022, there were 67,000 jobs in Halton, including the self-employed.{{cite web |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1946157073/report.aspx |title=Labour Market Profile - Halton |access-date=17 February 2024 |website=Nomis |publisher=Office for National Statistics }} The borough is an industrial, scientific and logistics hub with a higher proportion of jobs in these industries, and proportionally fewer jobs in hospitality and education compared to Great Britain. Proportionally more jobs were full-time roles.

In the period October 2022 to September 2023, the employment rate in Halton was 76.6%, higher than the average rate for Great Britain of 75.8%. Unemployment was 2.9% compared to 3.7% for Great Britain.

However, people in Halton are qualified to a lower level than the average for the North West or Great Britain. In 2023, the gross median weekly wage for full time workers living in Halton was £664. Although higher than the regional median of £649, it is lower than the £682.60 for Great Britain.

Media

Local television content is provided by BBC North West and ITV Granada

Local radio stations include:{{cn|date=September 2024}}

BBC Radio Merseyside
Heart North West
Smooth North West
Capital North West & Wales
Greatest Hits Radio Liverpool & The North West (formerly Wire FM)
Hits Radio Liverpool
Dee Radio
Halton Community Radio, a community based station,{{Cite web |url=http://hcr923fm.com/ |title=Halton Community Radio |access-date=6 July 2024}} inactive since 2025{{cite web| url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/02/halton-community-radio-no-longer-broadcasting-after-company-dissolution/ |title=Halton Community Radio no longer broadcasting after company dissolution |website=RadioToday |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=24 March 2025}}

Local newspapers are The Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News,{{cite web |url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-nw/widnes-weekly-news/ |title=The Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News |date=2 November 2013 |website=British Papers |accessdate=6 July 2024}} and the Runcorn and Widnes World.{{cite web |url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-nw/runcorn-widnes-world/ |title=Runcorn and Widnes World |date=16 February 2014 |website=British Papers |accessdate=6 July 2024}}

Twin boroughs

Halton is twinned with:

Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Berlin, Germany (since 25 May 1993)
Ústí nad Labem, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic (since 13 October 1993)
Leiria, Central Region, Portugal (since 1997)
Tongling, Anhui, China (since 1997)

Following an appeal in 1997, Halton residents donated 1,000 English books to Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem.{{cite news |title=Thanks to Halton |date=8 April 1997 |work=Warrington Guardian |publisher=Newsquest Media Group Ltd |access-date=2 November 2020 |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5322406.thanks-to-halton/ |archive-date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218031447/https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5322406.thanks-to-halton/ |url-status=live }} In 1999, an historic Halton Transport bus was restored and gifted to the Czech Republic to mark the centenary of public transport in the city.{{cite web |url=https://www.usti-nad-labem.cz/cz/uredni-portal/o-meste/spoluprace-mesta/partnerska-mesta/halton.html |title=Halton - Ústí nad Labem City Hall |website=Ústí nad Labem City Council |access-date=2 November 2020 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201111417/https://www.usti-nad-labem.cz/cz/uredni-portal/o-meste/spoluprace-mesta/partnerska-mesta/halton.html |url-status=live }} Engineers from Halton have assisted with chemical decontamination in the city and also when the city flooded in 2002.{{cite news |title=Forgiving but not forgetting Czechs' war |date=19 May 2005 |work=Cheshire Live |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=2 November 2020 |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/forgiving-not-forgetting-czechs-war-5284994 |archive-date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218031452/https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/forgiving-not-forgetting-czechs-war-5284994 |url-status=live }}

The first crazy golf course in Berlin, created in Marzahn-Hellersdorf in 2005, contains several Halton landmarks and was constructed with the assistance of exchange students from the borough.{{cite news |title=Golf course putts Halton on the map |date=25 August 2005 |work=Cheshire Live |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=2 November 2020 |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/golf-course-putts-halton-map-5281884 |archive-date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218031457/https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/golf-course-putts-halton-map-5281884 |url-status=live }}

Several roads are named after Halton's twin boroughs, including Leiria Way in Runcorn and Marzahn Way in Widnes.{{cite news |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5219685.going-deutsche/ |title=Going Deutsche |access-date=2 November 2020 |date=21 July 2004 |work=Warrington Guardian |publisher=Newsquest Media Group Ltd |archive-date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218031447/https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5219685.going-deutsche/ |url-status=live }} A Chinese friendship garden was created in the grounds of Runcorn Town Hall in 2006, including a bronze statue gifted by the twin city of Tongling.{{cite news |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/friendship-garden-full-eastern-promise-5260086 |title=Friendship garden is full of Eastern promise |access-date=2 November 2020 |date=22 June 2006 |work=Cheshire Live |publisher=Reach plc |archive-date=1 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201001003/https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/friendship-garden-full-eastern-promise-5260086 |url-status=live }}