Agenda and minutes

In the event the fire alarm sounds attendees will be advised to evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit and assemble at the Bottle of Notes opposite MIMA

The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting and read out the Fire Evacuation Procedure.

To receive any declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

To receive the minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 November 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Council or the Chief Executive

The Chair welcomed Councillor Joanne Rush, recently elected as Ward Councillor for Nunthorpe, to her first Council meeting.

With great sadness, the Chair informed Council of the recent death of former Councillor Vic Walkington.  Vic was Ward Councillor for Ayresome Ward between 2017 and 2019, an active member of the community council, and a dedicated campaigner for the Labour Party in the Acklam area, which he was passionate about. 

Councillor Henman also paid tribute to Vic. 

The Chair invited Members to join him in a minute’s silence, as a mark of respect.

To receive a written update from the Mayor and deal with questions and answers arising therefrom

The Mayor moved his report as written.

Questions in relation to the Mayor’s Report

Councillor Morrish on Outwood Academy Riverside.

The Mayor stated that the school was needed to address current capacity requirements and it was a shame that the building had not been completed sooner.  Whilst there were no plans currently for another school in the same area, the Council was exploring the provision of a school elsewhere in the town which would be focussed on SEND provision.  This would free up capacity at other schools.  School capacity would continue to be monitored and the Mayor stated that the Council would always seek additional provision as needed.

Councillor Cooper on Outwood Academy Riverside.

The Mayor explained that pupils could apply for free home to school transport if they lived outside of a 3 mile radius.  Paid for school transport was currently provided to some of the pupils due to where the school was currently based.  Once the school was open, eligibility assessments would be undertaken for pupils in respect of support with home to school transport.

Councillor Wilson on the Budget.

The Mayor responded that £650,000 would be allocated to making neighbourhoods safer which included a range of measures.  Whilst additional security cameras could be provided, monitoring and enforcement was equally important and therefore additional legal support would also be made available.  The professional witness service would be extended, there would be additional staff to tackle environmental crimes as well as parenting officers to help to tackle children who were at risk of exploitation or offending and families with reoccurring issues.   The establishment of a youth club in every ward of the town would be a good first step so that young people could be engaged in meaningful activities that could change their lives. 

Where there were existing buildings, the Mayor confirmed these could be used for youth provision.  However, there was also detached work ongoing, such as in the Park End area of the town, where outdoor youth clubs had been held and had proved popular.   Funding was predominantly for staff rather than buildings, as the youth provision could not be provided without staff.   The Mayor also highlighted the Youth Infinity project and thanked Lindsey Morrow, who ran the service, for the excellent work that was taking place. 

Councillor Uddin on Bring it on Boro.

The Mayor confirmed that provision had been made in the Budget for the next year to extend the Bring it on Boro project to cover every half term.  The Mayor’s next update to Council would include some of the Young Inspectors’ Reports on the provision available.  The young people’s feedback had already resulted in changes to improve some of the sessions. 

Councillor Kabuye on Youth Opportunities in every Ward.

The Mayor agreed there was a link between anti-social behaviour and crime where young people did not have access to youth services locally.  The Mayor hoped to extend the 10 by 10 project across the whole town next year and offer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/91

To receive written updates from Executive Members, and deal with questions and answers arising therefrom

Question in relation to the update of the Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Education and Culture – Councillor Storey.

Councillor Clynch on Special Free School.

The Deputy Mayor stated that it was essential to get the provision right from nursery all the way to sixth form for Middlesbrough children.   A decision on the special school would be made before 27 February 2026.  There were children in Middlesbrough with incredibly complex needs and more provision for SEND was needed.   Middlesbrough currently had sufficient sixth form provision at Middlesbrough College, Macmillan and Trinity Schools.  Further provision in the town could potentially have led to the closure of one of those establishments.  

Questions in relation to the update of the Executive Member for Children’s Services – Councillor Henman.

Councillor Wilson on Cared for Children and Care Leavers.

The Executive Member agreed that the number of young people in care was relatively high and had increased over the last couple of months.    The number was 498 in September 2025, which was significantly reduced from 570 in 2020, and over 600 the previous year.  There was a balance between making sure young people were safe and also receiving  appropriate support and intervention.  In terms of those young people currently in care, 67% were in foster care placements, 7% in residential care, 12% in children’s homes and 8% were with parents with a care order.  The smallest number of children were in residential care homes, and the largest number with foster carers who did a fantastic job in Middlesbrough.

Staff reviewed care placements frequently to make sure circumstances were still appropriate for a young person to be in care or whether intervention could be stepped down or needed to be stepped up.  It was important that young people were not subject to care orders for longer than they needed to be.  The Executive Member was hopeful that with early help and appropriate intervention in place, the numbers in care would reduce. 

Questions in relation to the update of the Executive Member for Development – Councillor Furness.

Councillor Wilson on Cemetery Expansion.

The Executive Member confirmed that investment in Middlesbrough’s burial plots aimed to deliver up to 1,258 spaces.   Due to planning policy requirement to address Biodiversity Net Gain, 22 spaces had to be sacrificed, leaving a total of 1236 new plots.    Additional plots would be provided in Thorntree and Acklam Cemeteries and a small cemetery at Nunthorpe was also part of the expansion plan.  The Executive Member added that all land would be surveyed to ensure appropriate mitigations were in place to alleviate potential flooding.

Councillor Rush on Nunthorpe Community Centre.

The Executive Member clarified that there was a plan to have parking around the Centre and that provision would be addressed as part of the planning application.   The Executive Member acknowledged however, that it would be difficult to plan parking for larger events.

Councillor Rush on Infrastructure of roads/GP/School in Nunthorpe

The Executive Member confirmed that further infrastructure was being added to the area,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/92

To receive questions from members of the public

No valid questions had been submitted by members of the public, within the required timescale for this meeting.

To receive petitions

No valid petitions had been submitted for this meeting.

To receive the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Board

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board (OSB) presented a report, the purpose of which was to provide an update on the current position regarding progress made by the Overview and Scrutiny Board and the individual Scrutiny Panels.

The Chair informed Council that at the next meeting of OSB, the Board would be receiving a report on Artificial Intelligence (AI), following a request from Councillor Morrish.  The Board  would also be considering the draft Final Report on Community Cohesion and receiving a presentation from the Executive Member for Public Health.

The Chair invited Members to note the report.

ORDERED that the report was noted.

The Executive Member for Development presented a report of the Director of Regeneration that sought approval for the Coulby Newham Neighbourhood Plan, incorporating the modifications set out in the Examiner’s Report.  The Coulby Newham Neighbourhood Plan had been prepared by the Coulby Newham Neighbourhood Forum and had recently been subject to independent examination in accordance with the legislation.

The Council had a statutory role to consider and approve Neighbourhood Plans and the proposed modifications set out in the Examiner’s Report or, alternatively, set out

different modifications where appropriate.  It was not considered necessary to propose  alternative modifications.

The Council would also need to arrange for a referendum to take place in the Neighbourhood Area.   Subject to approval in the referendum, the Coulby Newham Neighbourhood Plan would become part of the statutory development plan for the area and, as such, required a decision to be made by the Council.   A further report would be brought to the Council to consider the adoption of the Plan, subject to the outcome of the referendum.

Councillor Branson, Ward Councillor for Coulby Newham, spoke in support of the Plan and thanked everyone who had contributed.

On a vote being taken it was ORDERED as follows that Council:

1.      Approved the Coulby Newham Neighbourhood Plan incorporating the

 recommendations of the Examiner’s Report, including the modifications  proposed by the Examiner.

2.        Noted that the Coulby Newham Neighbourhood Plan would be subject to a referendum of residents of the Coulby Newham Ward.

The Chair presented a report of the Constitution and Members’ Development Committee which set out suggested minor amendments to be actioned under the

delegated authority given to the Monitoring Officer, and a schedule of suggested

amendments that had been agreed by the Committee for approval at Full Council.

The Monitoring Officer clarified a query raised by a Member in relation to paragraph 9.7(g) of the Constitution, explaining that Planning would be added to the main role of the Corporate Director Regeneration and Housing and removed from that of Corporate Director Environment, Communities and Culture.

On a vote being taken, it was ORDERED that Council:

1.      Approved the schedule of suggested amendments to the Constitution.

2.      Noted the amendments to the Constitution made by the Monitoring Officer under delegated authority as set out at Section 2.4 of the Constitution.

To receive a report on any urgent decisions taken since the last Council meeting

No urgent decisions had been taken since the last Council meeting.

To receive questions on notice from Members

No Members’ Questions on Notice had been submitted within the specified deadlines for this meeting.

To consider any motions on notice

Consideration was given to Motion No. 179 moved by Councillor Branson and seconded by Councillor McCabe of which notice had been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rules Nos, 4.28-4.34 as follows:

 “Action on Anti-Social Tenants

This Council notes the significant problems caused by anti-social tenants renting

properties in Middlesbrough. In cases where tenants rent from private landlords,

particularly those based outside the area, it can be extremely difficult to remove such

individuals. This situation often leads to considerable distress for local residents living

nearby, especially when the problem persists and the Council has no effective powers to intervene.

This Council therefore resolves to: Request that the Chair of the Council write to the

Government urging them to introduce legislation that makes it easier for councils to

remove anti-social tenants in appropriate circumstances, in order to protect the

wellbeing of all residents.”

Councillors Branson and McCabe spoke in support of the motion. 

The Chair invited Members to speak to the motion.

Councillors McTigue, Kabuye and the Mayor, C Cooke, spoke in support of the motion.

On a vote being taken the motion was CARRIED.

To consider any urgent motions on notice

No Urgent Motions on Notice had been submitted within the specified deadlines for this meeting.