Agenda item

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

 

Councillor Wilson agreed to email his question to the Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability.

 

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

 

Councillor Wilson on Changes to School Uniform.

 

The Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Education and Culture explained that Academies had control over their own uniform policies.  New legislation would be introduced in 2026 which would have some impact, but in cases such as specific trouser style, there was nothing that the Council could do.

 

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

 

Councillor Clynch on Joe Tynan.

 

The Executive Member supported Councillor Clynch’s message of thanks to Joe Tynan for the work undertaken during his two years at Middlesbrough Council, and wished to place a note of his gratitude on formal record.  A new permanent Executive Director of Children’s Services would be commencing in post in the near future.     

 

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

 

Councillor McCabe on HMO Article 4 Direction – 6 Months On.

 

The Executive Member explained that were approximately 280 HMOs with over five occupants currently in Middlesbrough.  18 applications were currently being processed: 11 had been accepted; seven were being considered.  Applications for HMOs could not be determined by officers if any objections had been received - those would be a matter for the Planning and Development Committee.

 

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

 

Councillor Morrish on Budget Forecast Year-End Outturn Position at Quarter One 2025/26.

 

The Executive Member explained that transparency in relation to budget-related matters is provided at every quarterly meeting.  Reference was made to the budget monitoring process and the importance of recognising and addressing emerging issues to meet budget projections/expectations at year-end.  Efforts had been made to rebuild the number of usable reserves, which had depleted by 75% from £16m down to £4m.

 

The Executive Member advised that a Members’ briefing would be scheduled in respect of Children’s Services.  Reference was made to the provision of a range of other Council services, including youth provision, environmental and ward services, in relation to the current budget position.

 

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

 

Councillors Wilson’s enquiry related to Exclusions and Suspensions.

 

Councillor Thompson on Exclusions.

 

Councillor Uddin on Exclusions.

 

The Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Education and Culture explained that the Council could not force Academies to have a specific uniform code, but Academies needed to remain mindful of the reasons for excluding children from school.

 

23 Alternative Provision (AP) providers were on an Approved Tees Valley AP Framework.  Of those 23, Middlesbrough Council currently used 7 of them.

 

Rather than a Pupil Referral Unit in Middlesbrough, there was the River Tees Multi Academy Trust (RTMAT), which acted in a similar capacity and were commissioned by day six following a permanent exclusion.

 

During the last financial year, the Council spent £5.369m on AP, which was an average of £23,000 per child.

 

Reference was made to impending legislation, i.e. the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, and the potential impact that this could have on this area of concern.

 

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

 

Councillor Uddin on Fir Tree.

 

The Executive Member commented that working on the frontline of Children’s Services was not easy and that that those staff had excelled on the improvement journey.  Work was currently taking place to determine how children’s homes could be best utilised to provide the best offer for children in Middlesbrough.

 

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

 

Councillor Morrish on Nunthorpe Community Centre.

 

Owing to the potential for exempt information being discussed in a public forum, Councillor Morrish advised the Mayor and Executive Member that he would be willing to meet with them, or whomever, to discuss the contents of his question outside of the meeting.