Agenda item

Report for decision.

ORDERED that the Sub Committee for Property:

1.    Approve the updated eligible Members’ Small Scheme project allocations, following applications from Members and assessment by Council Officers.

2.    A review of the funding allocated in the budget is carried out in line with the updated financial position.

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report for the Executive Sub-Committee’s consideration presenting the updated position regarding applications submitted by Members for the Small Scheme Allocation.

The scheme allowed each ward to submit one application for grant funding of up to £15,000 to deliver improvements as part of the capital programme. Where project costs exceeded this limit, match funding from relevant service areas was sought.

Members noted that at the previous meeting, held on 19 November 2025, eleven applications were awarded grant funding for the wards of Acklam, Ayresome, Berwick Hills and Pallister, Coulby Newham, Hemlington, Kader, Marton East, Marton West, Newport, Nunthorpe, and Trimdon. These applications had been assessed by Council Officers to determine suitability, affordability, and deliverability. Following assessment, two projects in the Berwick Hills and Pallister Park and Nunthorpe wards (ANPR cameras and a pedestrian crossing) were identified as undeliverable and were therefore omitted from the scheme.

The total funding requested across all proposals at that time was £143,400. Of this, £113,400 was requested for supported schemes, with match-funding contributions totalling £99,050, including £89,050 for the proposed approved schemes.

Following approval of the schemes, an administrative error was subsequently identified in relation to two projects that had been omitted in the Longlands and Beechwood, and Central Middlesbrough wards. Further analysis confirmed that both schemes were suitable for funding allocation for a park refurbishment and the removal of a planter. This decision enabled the projects to be designed and scheduled for implementation at the earliest opportunity, in line with the available budget.

Members commented that the scheme was an excellent initiative and that it was positive to be able to make a real difference to communities. They added that the scheme was a valuable offer for wards.

Members noted that the scheme had been introduced in 2003, and that this was when the process had first been initiated. It was further noted that the amount allocated to the scheme in the current year had not increased. Members were informed that, over the past two years, the budget had accumulated, and therefore Officers were asked to review the funding amount.

In response to a query regarding whether the scheme had continued under the previous administration, it was explained that funding had been retained. Due to the Council’s financial position at the time, it had not been appropriate to deliver the scheme, which had resulted in a rollover of approximately £270,000. Finance had reprofiled £150,000, with a further £120,000 allocated to ensure a more even distribution across the years.

Thanks were expressed to both Members and Officers for their contributions to the process. 

OPTIONS

The Council had the option not to approve the funding however this was not recommended as the proposals had been assessed by Officers for suitability and were deemed as acceptable improvements.

ORDERED that the Sub Committee for Property:

1.    Approve the updated eligible Members’ Small Scheme project allocations, following applications from Members and assessment by Council Officers.

2.    A review of the funding allocated in the budget is carried out in line with the updated financial position.

REASONS

The recommendations ensured the appropriate use of the Members’ Small Scheme grant and empowered Councillors to deliver meaningful improvements within their wards. The approved updated schemes also confirmed that the overall budget remained within limits. In line with a more structured bidding process, which will enable officers to programme the work with sufficient notice, a review of the funding allocated within the budget will be completed in line with the updated financial position.