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

To receive the minutes from the previous meeting.

The minutes of the Council meetings held on 14 January and 18 February 2026 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

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

There were no Announcements for this meeting.

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 Rush on how funding priorities are assessed.

The Mayor explained that when funding was provided, the outcomes were expected to be in line with the Government’s ambitions.  Where funding was more flexible, for example when budgets were set, the Council tried to support those in greatest need wherever possible.  Recognising that need came in many different forms, universal offers were in place across every ward.  The Mayor highlighted recent investments in the Nunthorpe Ward which included a new Community Centre, road infrastructure improvements and youth provision.  The Mayor extended an invitation to Councillor Rush to meet with him to further discuss the points raised.

Councillor Uddin in relation to Levick Court.

The Mayor stated that Levick Court had been marked as a red saving on the budget for several months but in this case, outcomes had outweighed financial risks.  Families across the region had faced closures of this type of respite provision.  The re-opening of Levick Court had been a massive benefit both for existing and new residents.  Respite offered an amazing opportunity for those who provided care to other family members.  The Mayor also commented on the fantastic care provided by an ageing population of carers and that the Council should do whatever it could to continue to provide respite for them. 

Councillor Morrish on City of Culture

The Mayor agreed with the Councillor’s comments that the City of Culture nomination was hugely important for Middlesbrough and encourage all Councillors to support the bid.  The Mayor also agreed with the Councillor’s comments in respect of homelessness in the town and that the Council needed to ensure people were housed.  Later this year the Council would be introducing a new Homelessness Strategy.  Three new posts in the Homelessness Team had been recruited to recently including a Head of Social Care and Housing.  Numbers of homeless people in Middlesbrough had been increasing since 2021 and this was a shocking sign of the times.    The Mayor added that house building needed to continue and the Council needed to gain control of empty properties and renovate them to ensure that quality homes could be provided to support those people who were furthest away from the property market to gain their own tenancies.  A briefing would be provided to all Members in respect of homelessness issues and demonstrate what actions were being taken to help those who needed housing.   Responding to a suggestion of setting aside a secure area for rough sleepers, the Mayor explained that it was difficult to create specific sites since this could bring further issues such as encouraging people from other areas to move to the town.  The key to addressing the issue was to identify problems earlier and ensure that adequate housing available for people identifying as homeless, rather than normalising people living in tents.  In respect of cleaning up the environment, additional neighbourhood caretakers and a back alley cleansing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/112

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

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

Councillor Uddin on school attendance.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services commented that 339 of Middlesbrough’s school aged children in care had a school place.  In terms of six who did not currently have a school place, there were a range of reasons, a couple of examples were provided which were: being placed out of area as a protection from criminal activity, and moving to another local authority and awaiting a placement there.  All children were currently accessing alternative forms of education and these were standard circumstances that the virtual school supported young people with.

Question in relation to the update of the Executive Member for Development - Councillor Furness

Councillor Rush on Nunthorpe Community Centre

The Executive Member for Development explained that the opening date for the Nunthorpe Community Centre had not been confirmed as yet.  There had been some issues with the water connection which had delayed the opening.  The Executive Member stated that he would inform the Councillor when he had a confirmed date.

Councillor Morrish on Nunthorpe Parish Council

This question was not permitted by the Chair since the topic did not appear within the Executive Member’s Update.

Question in relation to the update of the Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability – Councillor Gavigan

Councillor Rush on pedestrian crossings

Councillor Gavigan stated that he could not answer the question directly but that there were a number of new pedestrian crossings being installed during the next financial year.  All requests were assessed against a matrix by a panel of officers and included an overall score based on multiple factors.  Schemes were implemented when funding was secured.   The Council had a limited budget to progress multiple requests for schemes and there were currently in excess of 100 schemes across the Borough on the list.  In relation to the number of pedestrian crossings in Nunthorpe and the criteria for determining provision, the Executive Member invited Councillor Rush to email her question and he would provide a response, as he did not have that information to hand.

Question in relation to the update of the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods – Councillor Blades

Councillor Rush on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods explained that each of the four neighbourhood areas across the town focussed on issues such as ASB.  The Executive Member suggested that the Councillor should contact the Neighbourhood Manager for the Nunthorpe area in relation to the complaints received from residents. In relation to youth provision, in conjunction with Middlesbrough Football Club, a bus had been fitted out as a roving youth club for the time being until further evidence was gathered in relation to what was required in terms of provision.  It was important to try and go to where young people congregated in order to engage with them and ascertain what the most appropriate venues for youth provision were.  Further information would be communicated to Ward Members.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/113

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 Executive Members for Development and for Environment and Sustainability had attended the February and March meetings respectively and provided updates on their portfolios.

The next meeting of OSB would take place on 15 April 2026 and not 7 April as stated in the report.

The Chair of OSB reminded Members to submit suitable topics for consideration for next year’s Work Programme and also to complete the Scrutiny Survey that had been circulated by Democratic Services by 13 April 2026.

Report for decision

The Chair of Audit Committee presented a report seeking Council approval to the revised Local Code of Corporate Governance. 

The Local Code of Corporate Governance (LCCG) provided a framework that enabled the Council to assess its governance arrangements against best practice and accordingly it was recommended that the LCCG was reviewed annually.

The report proposed a slight change to the content of the LCCG, to include information previously set out in the Annual Governance Statement (AGS).   This reflected an addendum to the 2016 CIPFA guidance issued in 2025, which recommended that Councils did this to enable them to concentrate on the effectiveness of those arrangements within the Annual Governance Statement.  The change had been to include information on systems in place to support governance.  The change would enable the AGS to concentrate on the an assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls, enabling the document to shorter, easier to read and more focussed.

On a vote being taken, it was ORDERED that Council approved the revised Local Code of Corporate Governance.

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. 180 moved by Councillor Rush and seconded by Councillor Morrish of which notice had been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rules Nos, 4.28-4.34 as follows:

“National Colour Coded Recycling Packaging System, to include accessible labelling such as Braille or raised tactile markings.

Many residents wish to recycle responsibly but often face confusion due to inconsistent and unclear packaging labels. This confusion can lead to recyclable materials being placed in general waste or non-recyclable materials contaminating recycling collections.

Recycling instructions are frequently printed in very small text, making them difficult to read, particularly for blind and visually impaired residents, older residents, or those with reading difficulties. As a result, residents may unknowingly dispose of recyclable items incorrectly.

Both Government and local councils are encouraging residents to recycle more. This is reflected in the increasing number of recycling bins and collection streams now provided to households. If residents are being asked to recycle more, it is only reasonable that the information on packaging is clear, consistent and accessible. A clear and consistent national approach would make recycling easier for residents and help improve recycling rates. It would also support the UK’s wider environmental objectives, including increasing recycling levels and reducing waste sent to landfill.

A simple colour coded system displayed clearly on packaging would allow residents to quickly identify how an item should be disposed of. Such a system could help residents recycle correctly, reduce contamination in recycling collections, and provide clearer guidance for households across the country.

I therefore request that, if this motion is passed, the Chair of Council writes to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs within 28 days of the decision, urging the UK Government to consider introducing a national traffic light style colour coded system on packaging to clearly indicate recyclability, alongside accessible labelling such as Braille or raised tactile markings.

This would help ensure recycling information is accessible to everyone and allow residents to independently identify how items should be disposed of. A clear colour coded, and tactile system would therefore promote greater inclusivity while supporting improved recycling outcomes.

The proposer of the motion will work with the Chair to include in the letter the benefits such a system would bring to residents, councils and national recycling targets.”

Councillors Rush and Morrish spoke in support of the motion.

The Chair invited Members to speak to the motion.

In response to a query by Councillor Rush in respect of her efforts to secure a seconder for the motion, the Mayor explained that any requests to second a motion from opposition Members were agreed by the Labour Group rather than individual Labour Councillors.  As such, sufficient notice would be required for the Labour Group to give such a matter consideration, which the Mayor indicated the Group would be happy to do.

On a vote being taken the motion was CARRIED.

Consideration was given to Motion No. 181 moved by Councillor Clynch and seconded by Councillor Gavigan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/120

To consider any urgent motions on notice

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