Agenda item

For decision. 

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     That the amendments proposed to Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

2.     Approve the acceptance of £1.3m Investment Zone funding together with associated match funding arrangements set out in the business case, subject to completion of the relevant Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) decision making processes and execution of funding agreements.

3.     Approve the implementation of the Making Middlesbrough Town Centre Safer for People & Business Project.

4.     Delegate authority to the Corporate Director responsible for Environment, Communities and Culture in consultation with the Executive Member to finalise operational delivery arrangements and agreements with partners.

AGREED that Executive note the three-year pilot nature of the project to March 2029.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods submitted a report for Executive's consideration the purpose of which sought approval for the Making Middlesbrough Town Centre Safer for People and Business Project.

Before presenting the report, Executive was advised of minor amendments to Appendix 1 of the report. Specifically, the amendments were:

Middlesbrough Council match funding increased from £44,300 to £140,100 which increased the total scheme revenue income from £2.282m to £2,378m. Appendix 1a – Business Case Crime Safety Evidence Pack had been updated where appropriate. Following a vote the proposed amendments were accepted by Executive.

This was a three-year pilot programme designed to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour within Middlesbrough town centre through a coordinated multi-agency approach. The report also sought approval to accept £1.3 million of Tees Valley Investment Zone funding and associated match funding arrangements.

Executive was advised that Middlesbrough town centre was the economic and cultural heart of the Tees Valley and was benefiting from significant regeneration and investment. Members heard that the proposal supported the Council’s ambition for Middlesbrough to become the UK’s most creative place for young people to live, learn and realise their future. It was noted that improving safety and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour would support regeneration ambitions, increase public confidence and create conditions for a thriving town centre economy.

Executive noted that the project had been developed in partnership with Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), Cleveland Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), and was proposed to be funded through the Tees Valley Investment Zone programme. Members were advised that the associated business case had not yet completed the formal TVCA approval process and that delivery remained subject to the necessary approvals and funding agreements being secured.

Members heard that the business case identified crime, anti-social behaviour and perceptions of safety as significant barriers to economic growth, inward investment and town centre regeneration. The proposed project would build upon existing arrangements and introduce additional Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), Neighbourhood Safety Wardens with additional powers, Neighbourhood Navigators, enhanced CCTV monitoring and the expansion of Safe Haven at Middlesbrough Bus Station into a multi-agency hub.

The Executive noted that the project would result in the recruitment of two PCSOs, four Neighbourhood Safety Wardens, two Neighbourhood Navigators and one CCTV Operative. It was reported that these resources would be dedicated specifically to the town centre area, providing a consistent uplift in visibility, enforcement and support. Middlesbrough Council would employ the Wardens and Navigators, Cleveland Police would employ the PCSOs and the CCTV Operative would be employed through the Council’s existing CCTV contract arrangements.

Members were informed that the business case cited evidence of 799 anti-social behaviour incidents and 3,730 recorded crimes within the town centre during 2024/25 and highlighted Middlesbrough’s position amongst the most crime-deprived local authority areas nationally. The project was intended to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, improve confidence and perceptions of safety, support businesses, increase footfall and contribute towards wider regeneration objectives contained within the Middlesbrough Place Strategy and Tees Valley Investment Zone programme.

OPTIONS

The business case considered a range of options, including maintaining current arrangements and implementing standalone enforcement approaches.

The ‘do nothing’ option was discounted because existing resources were not considered sufficient to address the scale and complexity of current issues.

Alternative models focusing solely on enforcement or solely on prevention were also discounted as they would have not provided the integrated and sustainable approach required.

Option 10 was recommended because it combined protection, prevention and provision measures and achieved the strongest overall assessment against the critical success factors identified in the business case. 

The Executive Member for Children’s Services commented there were several exciting developments happening in the town centre and this project was another example of trying to remove barriers to achieving this.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods stated that businesses needed to have confidence and this was a key part of the strategy.

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Approve the proposed amendments to Appendix 1 of the report.

2.     Approve the acceptance of £1.3m Investment Zone funding together with associated match funding arrangements set out in the business case, subject to completion of the relevant Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) decision making processes and execution of funding agreements.

3.     Approve the implementation of the Making Middlesbrough Town Centre Safer for People & Business Project.

4.     Delegate authority to the Corporate Director responsible for Environment, Communities and Culture in consultation with the Executive Member to finalise operational delivery arrangements and agreements with partners.

AGREED that Executive note the three-year pilot nature of the project to March 2029.

REASONS

The business case demonstrated that crime and anti‑social behaviour continued to impact negatively upon Middlesbrough town centre and undermine regeneration ambitions.

The preferred option identified in the business case was Option 10 (detailed in the options appraisal section 2.2 of business case), which combined enhanced enforcement, prevention and support measures through a multi‑agency hub approach. This option was selected because it provided the strongest strategic fit and best overall economic outcome.

The business case identified that the project would have:

•         Achieved a targeted 5% reduction in crime and anti‑social behaviour over three years.

•         Improved public perceptions of safety.

•         Increased footfall and support economic activity.

•         Strengthened partnership working and supported vulnerable individuals.

•         The recommendations were therefore considered to provide the most appropriate and balanced response to identified challenges within the town centre.