Issue - meetings

Report for decision. 

ORDERED that the Executive Sub‑Committee for Property:

1.     Approved the proposed amendment to the report.

2.     Approved the eligible Members’ Small Schemes project allocations, following applications from Members and assessment by Council Officers; and

3.     Approved the allocation of funding to deliver the approved projects.

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report for the Executive Sub‑Committee’s consideration.

The purpose of the report was to present the updated position regarding applications submitted by Elected Members for the Members’ Small Schemes Allocation 2026/27. The approved annual allocation totalled £143,590, enabling Members to apply for up to £15,000 per ward to deliver local environmental and highways improvements. Match funding from relevant service areas could be sought where project costs exceeded this limit.

Members noted that ten applications had been submitted across eligible wards, including Acklam, Ayresome, Berwick Hills and Pallister, Brookfield, Hemlington, Linthorpe, Marton West, Newport, Nunthorpe, and Park. The submissions had been assessed by Council Officers to determine suitability, affordability, and deliverability.

The Sub-Committee heard that the total value of funding requested was £143,590, with £80,000 requested in match funding from service areas. Where match funding had been required, confirmation had been provided by the relevant services. The approved schemes therefore remained within the funding allocation set aside in the Council’s Capital Programme.

Members noted that the supported applications included traffic calming measures in Linthorpe and Park wards, zebra crossings in Hemlington and Berwick Hills and Pallister, CCTV and environmental improvements in Ayresome and Nunthorpe, and a range of local amenity enhancements including benches, bins, decorative lighting, and play area equipment across several wards.

These schemes were detailed in Appendix 1 of the report and were deemed deliverable with available resources. 

The Executive Member proposed an amendment to the report to include the words ‘as amended’ when referring to Members Small Scheme project allocations.

It was confirmed that, once approved, the recommended schemes would proceed to design (where appropriate) and be scheduled for implementation at the earliest opportunity. Any expenditure not incurred during 2026/27 would be carried forward to 2027/28.

OPTIONS

The Council had the option not to approve the funding; however, this was not recommended, as the proposals had been fully assessed by Officers and were considered suitable, affordable, and deliverable within the available allocation. Declining all schemes was also not recommended, as the submissions met the relevant criteria.

ORDERED that the Executive Sub‑Committee for Property:

1.     Approved the proposed amendment to the report.

2.     Approved the eligible Members’ Small Schemes project allocations, following applications from Members and assessment by Council Officers; and

3.     Approved the allocation of funding to deliver the approved projects.

REASONS

The recommendations ensured the appropriate use of the Members’ Small Schemes funding by supporting localised improvements that enhanced accessibility, safety, and the environment across wards. The approved schemes confirmed that the overall budget remained within limits and empowered Members to deliver meaningful improvements within their communities. The structured application and assessment process also enabled officers to programme work with sufficient notice and ensured match funding requirements were met where necessary.