Agenda item

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Development.

 

Councillor Cooper agreed to email her question to the Executive Member for Development

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Education and Culture.

 

Councillor Morrish on VE Day 80.

 

The Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Education and Culture explained that previously the Civics Officer would have contacted veterans associations in advance of civic events.  The Civics Officer post no longer existed and organisation of such events was now undertaken by the Events Team.  Contacting veterans associations in respect of events was not a task that would be carried out by an Elected Member.  The Executive Member suggested that there should be further discussion and clarification in relation to the Champion roles and expectations of Elected Members.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Children’s Services.

 

Councillor Wilson on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

 

In the absence of the Executive Member, the Mayor responded stating that this process was the responsibility of the Integrated Care Board (ICB).  However it was a valid point that children were having to wait a long time and often travel out of the area for their assessment.  The Mayor said he would get some data on this issue.  The Mayor also highlighted the the Finlay Cooper Centre who working with people to support people at both the pre and post-diagnosis stages as one of the main issues was the wait time for results.   The Mayor praised the excellent work carried out by the Centre.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability.

 

Councillor Saunders in relation to the Transporter Bridge.

 

The Executive Member explained that the Transporter Bridge was one of Middlesbrough’s most iconic bridges and the Council was fully committed to securing its future.  Responsibility for its maintenance was shared with Stockton On Tees Borough Council.  Atkins Realis had been appointed to carry out the preliminary design phase of the restoration project which would take up to 10 months to complete.   The cost was just over £768,000 which would be split between Stockton and Middlesbrough Councils, funding from existing budgets, with no new requests for capital. No funding had been provided to date by the Tees Valley Combined Authority.   The restoration would require a detailed design plan which would take between 8 and 10 months, followed by the tender process and construction work which would last a minimum of 3 years.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods.

 

Councillor Kabuye in relation to Community Newsletters.

 

The Executive Member agreed that the Community Newsletters, sent to residents in the East and South Neighbourhood areas had been a huge success.  Work had now started on a Newsletter that would be delivered to every household in Middlesbrough.  The Executive Member added her thanks to Officers involved in the newsletters production.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health.

 

Councillor McCabe in relation to Council priorities.

 

The Mayor provided an explanation that the wording in the report under the heading of Council Priorities:  A Healthy Place – Helping our residents to live longer, healthier lives – was the description from the Council Plan and not part of the report.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Finance.

 

Councillor Livingstone in relation to Customer Strategy.

 

The Executive Member for Finance confirmed that the digital first approach in the Customer Strategy was not exclusive.   In 2023/24 over 125,000 calls were made to the Council’s Customer Centre, there were over 4,700 in-person visits and the website attracted over 2.9 million visitors.  Whichever way residents needed to contact the Council would still be available.  With regard to payments – this was a separate issue and cash payments would continue.  The Strategy stated that Council business processes would be designed around customers and would provide consistency through the route that served the customer best.  The Executive Member stated that undertaking would also be included in the Customer Charter.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health.

 

Councillor Saunders in relation to the inspection outcome.

 

The Executive Member agreed to provide further information in relation to the low scores for assessing needs and safeguarding and the action that would be taken to address this.  

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods.

 

Councillor Morrish in relation to commemoration of three years of war in Ukraine.

 

The Executive Member highlighted that regular events were held to support people arriving in Middlesbrough from Ukraine and this included donating second-hand IT equipment.   The Executive Member thanked the Councillor for his suggestion that vehicles that were no longer of use to the Council or untaxed vehicles that had been seized could be sent to Ukraine for charities to use.  The Councillor’s suggestion would be passed on to Council Officers.

 

Question in relation to the Report of the Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability.

 

Councillor Saunders in relation to the Linby and Belle Vue Footbridges.

 

The Executive Member was not aware of any plans to add lighting to the path leading to the footbridges and asked the Mayor to comment further.  The Mayor stated that a meeting had taken place earlier in the day in relation to upcoming transport schemes.  A project called Tees to the Topping had been discussed that was being led by The National Trust to connect those two areas.  One of the key parts to the plan was the inclusion of the green corridor alongside Berwick Hills and Park End.     The Mayor was hoping to get the green light for this scheme fairly soon.  The Mayor was keen to ensure that the paths were wide enough and well lit.  In respect of the repair work needed to the bridges – funding was being sought.  The Mayor agreed to keep the Councillor updated on progress.