Agenda item

Report for decision.

ORDERED that Executive:

a.   Approves the specification of works outlined for the enhancement of the North, South, East and West Neighbourhood Hubs;

b.  Approves that any of the £5m resource allocation which is not used on the redevelopment of the Neighbourhood Hubs, be vired towards neighbourhood assets and open spaces; and,

c.   Delegates any construction contract, design, scope and budget adjustments to the Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Environment and Community Services – insofar as they are compliant with financial and contract procedure rules.

AGREED that Executive:

1. Notes the phased development and delivery of works to ensure that continuity of Community services was prioritised;
2. Approved the amendment to the above recommendation to read: ‘Delegates any construction contract, design, scope and budget adjustments to the Director responsible for Regeneration, in consultation with the Director responsible for Environment and Community Services, insofar as these are compliant with financial and contract procedure rules’; and,
3. Notes that work would be undertaken to address the terminology used for community hubs and neighbourhood hubs.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules 4.8.25 the Chair proposed a motion without notice, which was seconded and agreed, to change the order of business. The motion proposed that Agenda Item 15 to be heard next.

It was agreed that the order of business for the remainder of the meeting be items 10,11,12,13,14,16.

The Executive Members for Development and Neighbourhoods submitted a joint report for Executive consideration, seeking approval for significant investment in Middlesbrough’s Neighbourhood Hubs.

The report outlined the planned enhancement of the North, South, East and West Neighbourhood Hubs, which form a key part of the Council’s Neighbourhood Working approach approved in April 2025. The Hubs are located in Hemlington (South), Newport (North), Berwick Hills (East) and Grove Hill (West) wards, each serving as a central base for community delivery within their areas. It was highlighted that £5 million of Transformation Programme capital funding had been allocated to support the upgrade of the hubs and selected community spaces, with the intention of improving access to services, strengthening community resilience and enabling a broader range of local activities.

Members were advised that the investment would allow more staff and partner organisations to be based within neighbourhoods, offering tailored support specific to local needs. The proposed works included building adaptations to ensure the hubs are accessible, fit‑for‑purpose, and able to accommodate multiple uses. The report also set out the proposed phasing of works to maintain service continuity and the governance arrangements for managing project design, scope, and budget adjustments.

Members noted that the hubs would play a key role in delivering Neighbourhood Working, which had been approved by the Executive in April 2025. Members were advised that the reference to approval in 2026 within the Executive Summary was an administrative error.

Members raised concerns regarding the condition and accessibility of the existing neighbourhood facilities and discussed that neighbourhood staff had been required to work in poor conditions following their relocation from office accommodation, and that residents were unable to access buildings they believed should be open. Members also highlighted inconsistencies across the hubs, with some offering public access and others not, and commented on the terminology used for “community hubs” and “neighbourhoods’ hubs” It was noted that further work would be undertaken to address the naming issue.

Following the recent management structure changes, it was identified that the titles of Directors referenced in the recommendations were incorrect, and it was suggested that the wording be amended to state that the Executive would delegate any construction contract, design, scope and budget adjustments to the Director responsible for Regeneration, in consultation with the Director responsible for Environment and Community Services, insofar as these were compliant with financial and contract procedure rules.

OPTIONS

A range of options and requirements had been considered with the occupant services and Neighbourhood Managers. The service had informed the scope and requirements of the specifications set out.

ORDERED that Executive:

a.   Approves the specification of works outlined for the enhancement of the North, South, East and West Neighbourhood Hubs;

b.  Approves that any of the £5m resource allocation which is not used on the redevelopment of the Neighbourhood Hubs, be vired towards neighbourhood assets and open spaces; and,

c.   Delegates any construction contract, design, scope and budget adjustments to the Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Environment and Community Services – insofar as they are compliant with financial and contract procedure rules.

AGREED that Executive:

1. Notes the phased development and delivery of works to ensure that continuity of Community services was prioritised;
2. Approved the amendment to the above recommendation to read: ‘Delegates any construction contract, design, scope and budget adjustments to the Director responsible for Regeneration, in consultation with the Director responsible for Environment and Community Services, insofar as these are compliant with financial and contract procedure rules’; and,
3. Notes that work would be undertaken to address the terminology used for community hubs and neighbourhood hubs.

REASONS

Neighbourhood Working was identified as a key transformational strategy designed to increase efficiency and reduce demand pressures over the medium term. The approach was intended to deliver improved outcomes for Middlesbrough residents and, in time, become the primary operational model for addressing the entrenched challenges faced across the town’s neighbourhoods.

Following consideration of this item, Councillor T Furness left the meeting.