Issue - meetings

Report for decision. 

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Approved the adoption of Accountable Body Status for the £20m Pride in Place Programme at Thorntree;

2.     Approved the adoption of Accountable Body Status for the £20m Pride in Place Programme at Park End;

3.     Approved the acceptance and allocation of the £1.5m Pride in Place – Impact Fund allocation for central Middlesbrough, subject to consent from Andy McDonald MP; and

4.     Noted that the Council’s role was limited to that of Accountable Body and secretariat support.

AGREED that Executive:

1.     Noted that all engagement activity, priority setting and development of the Neighbourhood Investment Plans would be solely determined by the Neighbourhood Boards for Thorntree and Park End;

2.     Noted that officer resource requirements for administration and secretariat support would involve multiple Council services, including Growth & Assets, Neighbourhoods, Finance and Legal Services; and

3.     Noted that any Neighbourhood Board decisions affecting Council land, assets, services or finances would be returned to Executive for consideration, with phased delivery used to maintain continuity of community services.

The Executive Member for Development submitted a report for Executive consideration regarding the Pride in Place Programme allocations for Thorntree and Park End, and the Pride in Place – Impact Fund for central Middlesbrough. Members were informed that Middlesbrough had been awarded a combined £41.5m across the three programme areas.

Members were advised that Thorntree and Park End had each been allocated £20m over ten years under the main Pride in Place Programme. Each area would be required to establish an independent Neighbourhood Board, led by a locally appointed Chairperson, to identify priorities, consult with residents, and prepare a Neighbourhood Investment Plan for submission to Government by Winter 2026/27. Funding would commence in April 2027 following approval of each plan.

Members noted that the Council’s role within the programme was limited to providing Accountable Body functions and secretariat support. The Executive heard that decision‑making powers, including planning, design and prioritisation of investment, rested entirely with the Neighbourhood Boards. It was also reported that local MPs had a statutory role in the programme, including appointing Chairpersons and approving final Board membership. An open recruitment process for Board Chairs was underway, with expressions of interest due to close on 24 April 2026.

In addition to the main programme allocations, Members were informed that Middlesbrough had been awarded £1.5m from the Pride in Place – Impact Fund to support immediate improvements in central Middlesbrough. The Impact Fund would be delivered directly by the Council but required the consent of the constituency MP, Andy McDonald MP. Proposed interventions included improvements to Centre Square Pond, town centre clean‑up activity and new public art installations.

The report highlighted that the programme was specifically targeted at areas identified as “doubly disadvantaged,” characterised by high deprivation and weak social infrastructure. Members acknowledged that the programme represented a significant opportunity to support long‑term, community‑led regeneration and to improve local engagement, service efficiency and neighbourhood resilience. The Executive also noted the resource implications for Council services, particularly during the early years of delivery, and the need for careful management of financial and legal oversight as the Accountable Body.

Clarification was provided regarding the area covered by the proposals which included three electoral wards and two parliamentary constituencies.

A discussion took place about Community Boards during which it was commented that if the process to appoint Chairs and other members to such Boards was too onerous it may deter community activists from applying. It was clarified that government guidance was available on the process of appointing members of the Community Boards and that the appointment process would be made as simple as possible.

OPTIONS

The alternative option would have been to decline Accountable Body status. Members noted that this would have jeopardised the £40m Pride in Place allocations for Thorntree and Park End, representing a substantial lost opportunity for these communities. This option was therefore not recommended.

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Approved the adoption of Accountable Body Status for the £20m Pride in Place Programme at Thorntree;

2.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 133