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 everyone to the meeting and explained the Fire Evacuation Procedure.

To receive any declarations of interest.

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

The minutes of the Place Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 29 April 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

 

The Directors of Regeneration and Environment and Community Services, will be in attendance to provide the Panel with an overview of the services provided across their respective Directorates, and to highlight the strategic and departmental priorities for the coming year.

 

Recommendation: That the Panel notes the information provided and considers it when determining the Work Programme for 2025-2026.

The Director of Regeneration and the Director of Environment and Community Services, were in attendance at the meeting and provided the Panel with an overview of the services provided across their respective Directorates, highlighting priorities and challenges for the next year.

 

The Director of Environment stated that the Directorate is committed to deliver services and policies that meet the Council’s strategic vision.

 

The Council's vision for Middlesbrough is a thriving, healthier, safer and more ambitious place where people want to live, work, invest, and visit. We will support our residents to live fulfilling lives, to ensure that our communities thrive.

 

The Environment and Community Services Directorate consisted of five elements:

 

·        Environment Services

·        Highways and Infrastructure

·        Neighborhood

·        Public Protection

·        North East Migration Partnership

 

The Environment Services department was responsible for:

 

·        Waste Disposal (responsible for day to day management of waste disposal contract for Cleveland authorities)

·        Waste collection

·        Open space Management

·        Newham Grange Leisure Farm

·        Parks management

·        Bereavement Services

·        School catering

·        School cleaning

·        Green agenda

·        Pest control

 

The Director stated that food waste collection would be taking effect shortly which is a Government initiative across all local authorities and not specific to Middlesbrough.

 

A Member asked a question on the poor rates of recycling in Middlesbrough, the Director advised that Waste Education Officers were to be employed to assist in increasing the rates of recycling across the town.  It was suggested that the Waste Policy could be reviewed to include “no more side waste”.  The Director stated that more education was needed and that the Council need to provide all facilities to recycle to make recycling as easy as possible.

 

The Member requested that the Director provide ward specific data on recycling rates.

 

The Neighbourhood Services department was responsible for:

 

·        Community Safety Partnership

·        Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Reduction Strategy

·        Prevent and Contest responsibilities

·        Neighbourhood Management

·        Community development

·        CCTV

·        Street Wardens

·        Environment Enforcement

·        Libraries

·        Community Hubs

·        Area Care

·        Tree Management

 

The Director advised that the Neighbourhood Management model was working well, organisations were working collaboratively and building relationships with the local communities.

 

A Member asked whether the Director had explored the use of AI CCTV the Director explained that there was a need to be cautious around AI due to legislation.

 

The Highways and Infrastructure department was responsible for:

 

·        Strategic highways

·        Highways repair and maintenance

·        Responsibility for bridges and structures

·        Flood management

·        Emergency highways management

·        Rights of way management

·        Integrated transport management (Children & Adults)

·        Car parking (strategy)

·        Street lighting

·        Traffic signal management for Cleveland Authorities

·        Management of Urban Transport System

·        Highway laboratory for Cleveland

 

The Director explained that the department was also responsible for Fleet Management which included:

 

·        Management of Council’s Operator License

·        Fleet Strategy

·        Fleet Maintenance

·        Fleet hire

 

Members heard that the directorate was also responsible for the North East Migration Partnership and was the lead in the region for asylum and migration.  The authority does not make decisions on the numbers, purchasing or procuring properties this was down to Central Government.  The department is working closely with Centra Government on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/4

Thursday 17 July 2025 at 4.30 pm

The next meeting of the Place Scrutiny Panel was scheduled for Thursday 17 July 2025 at 4.30 pm.

Verbal update

A discussion took place regarding the future dates for the Place Scrutiny Panel, Members agreed to hold the meetings on a Monday at 1.30pm.  It was agreed that the Democratic Services Officer would circulate a list of potential dates to Panel Members.

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