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, introductions were made and the Fire Evacuation Procedure explained.

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 September 2025 were submitted a Member requested an amendment to the minutes as follows:

A Member suggested a survey being sent to colleges and the university, to gain feedback to see if people who had come from different places across the country and now studied in Middlesbrough could suggest ways of improving Middlesbrough, from their own life experiences from where they were born.  Members agreed to this suggestion.

Representatives from Locus will be in attendance to present the findings of the latest Economic Assessment of Middlesbrough.

Recommendation: that the Panel determines what further information will be required for this scrutiny investigation.

The Director of Regeneration introduced the Representatives from Locus who were in attendance to provide Members with an overview of the initial findings of the latest economic assessment on Middlesbrough.  The economic assessment focused on Middlesbrough’s current position including emerging trends and how Middlesbrough  is responding to those.  Members were advised that the presentation they were to receive was on the initial findings of the assessment and a full report would be produced in the future.

Members were advised that an economic assessment on Middlesbrough had previously been carried out in 2017/2018.   Findings from that assessment included:

·        Shift Middlesbrough’s focus away from a ‘need-based’ retail model toward a ‘want-based’ experience economy

·        Prioritises leisure, culture, events and unique offerings that cannot be replicated online

·        Increase use of transport links and improve signage

·        Investment in public realm and safety

·        Strategies to reduce vacancies through alternative uses

Members heard that since 2018 some of the work that had been carried out included:

·        Redevelopment (Centre Square and Gresham)

·        Focus on Anti-Social Behaviour

·        High Street Heritage Action Zone

·        Town Centre Masterplan

·        Shift towards increased office space

·        Train station redevelopment

The Panel heard that there were 157 less retail units in Middlesbrough compared to 2017.  There had been a shift in location of units with less premises in locations such as Linthorpe Road and Borough Rd with a shift towards Railway Station.  Office space in 2017 was based around the university but again had shifted to Centre Square and the Railway Station area. 

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It was advised that 14.6% of Middlesbrough’s units were currently vacant compared to 17.85% in 2018.  It was highlighted that Middlesbrough was marginally above the UK average of 14% and Middlesbrough was noticeably below the Northeast average of 17%. 

In terms of population, it was advised there had been a slight growth of 6% in resident population since 2018 from 140,600 to 148,284.  There had been no change in employee numbers however the demographic had shifted to younger people and there had been an increase in the 25–34-year-old demographic.  In terms of employment strength had maintained in sectors such as healthcare, education and construction related jobs.

Members were advised that 2024 showed the highest amount of footfall in the town centre in 5 years, if the footfall numbers for 2025 continued it should have a similar footfall to 2024.  The majority of visitors to the town centre concentrated on Thursday/Fridays and Saturdays which was consistent with patterns across the country.  Visitors tended to be younger in age 18-35 years leading to Middlesbrough outperforming significantly against the Northeast average on younger visitors.

In relation to spending Members were advised that money spent in the town centre was down due to shoppers making online purchases this was a trend across the whole of the UK.  Visitors are spending less but they were making more smaller purchases across several businesses such as coffee shops, cinemas and different stores.  Spending on eating out and retail was identified as being slightly below regional and national averages however  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/26

The Chair will provide a verbal update on matters considered at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 22 October 2025.

The Chair provided an update on items discussed at the recent Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 22 October 2025 which included:

·        Scrutiny Chairs Update

·        Executive Member Update – Children’s Services

·        Executive Forward Work Programme

·        Forward Plan Actions Update

The next meeting of the Place Scrutiny Panel will take place on Monday 17 November at 1.30pm

The next meeting of the Place Scrutiny Panel was scheduled for 17 November 2025 at 1.30pm.

Any other urgent items which in the opinion of the Chair, may be considered.

None